Leading the index were Cameco Corp, up 4.1 percent, Eldorado Gold Corp, up 3.5 percent, and Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp , higher by 3.1 percent.

Lagging shares were West Fraser Timber Co Ltd, down 8.1 percent after its quarterly results, Interfor Corp, down 6.1 percent, and Canopy Growth Corp, lower by 5.5 percent.

On the TSX 63 issues advanced and 181 declined as a 0.3-to-1 ratio favored decliners. There were 4 new highs and 5 new lows, with total volume of 171.2 million shares.

The most heavily traded shares by volume were Bombardier Inc, Aurora Cannabis Inc and Canopy Growth Corp.

The TSX's energy group fell 0.94 points, or 0.46 percent, while the financials sector slipped 0.76 points, or -0.25 percent.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 1.22 percent, or $0.85, to $70.31 a barrel. Brent crude rose 0.54 percent, or $0.39, to $72.97 [O/R]

The TSX is up 1.4 percent for the year.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak)