* The Toronto Stock Exchange's TSX rises 0.79 percent to 17,651.59 

* Leading the index were Semafo Inc , up 10.3%, Hudbay Minerals Inc , up 9.8%, and MEG Energy Corp , higher by 8.8%.

* Lagging shares were ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc , down 5.2%, Bombardier Inc , down 3.6%, and Canopy Growth Corp, lower by 3.0%.

* On the TSX 168 issues rose and 59 fell as a 2.8-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 35 new highs and no new lows, with total volume of 222.9 million shares.

* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Bombardier Inc , Aurora Cannabis Inc  and Baytex Energy Corp .

* The TSX's energy group  rose 4.79 points, or 3.7%, while the financials sector climbed 2.96 points, or 0.9%.

* West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 2.88%, or $1.43, to $51.04 a barrel. Brent crude  rose 2.74% , or $1.48, to $55.44 [O/R]

* The TSX is up 3.4% for the year.