* The biggest contributor to the TSX gain was Whitecap Resources, while the energy sector provided the biggest boost.

* Whitecap Resources, up 7.9 percent, also led percentage gainers, followed by Cenovus Energy Inc , up 7.7 percent, and Nuvista Energy Ltd  , higher by 6.4 percent.

* Lagging shares were BlackBerry Ltd , down 9.3 percent, Canopy Growth Corp, down 9.1 percent, and Canada Goose Holdings Inc, lower by 7.4 percent.

* On the TSX 170 issues advanced and 72 declined as a 2.4-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 13 new highs and 1 new lows, with total volume of 229.4 million shares.

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

* The TSX's energy group  rose 7.06 points, or 3.63 percent, while the financials sector climbed 1.09 points, or 0.36 percent.

* West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 5.68 percent, or $3.72, to $69.26 a barrel. Brent crude  rose 3.6 percent, or $2.63, to $75.68 [O/R]

* The TSX is up 1.5 percent for the year.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)