* The Toronto Stock Exchange's TSX rises 0.68 percent to 15,685.92 

* Leading the index were Aurora Cannabis Inc , up 15.6%, Cronos Group Inc , up 12.2%, and Aphria Inc , higher by 10.6%.

* Lagging shares were Lightspeed POS Inc , down 2.9%, Aritzia Inc, down 2.7%, and CGI Inc, lower by 2.3%.

* On the TSX 177 issues rose and 45 fell as a 3.9-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 2 new highs and no new lows, with total volume of 157.6 million shares.

* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Suncor Energy Inc , Aphria Inc  and Cenovus Energy Inc.

* The TSX's energy group  rose 1.38 points, or 2.2%, while the financials sector climbed 1.32 points, or 0.5%.

* West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 3.24%, or $1.16, to $36.95 a barrel. Brent crude  rose 3.27%, or $1.24, to $39.18 [O/R]

* The TSX is off 8.1% for the year.