Canada's benchmark stock index Wednesday continued down as losses for energy issues overrode gains in the tech and utilities sectors.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index edged down 3.84 points, or 0.02 percent, to close the day at 15,951.67.

The Canadian dollar rocketed 0.23 cents to 81.29 cents U.S.

Technology company CGI Group was among the index's biggest gainers, rising 1.7 percent to 70.33 Canadian dollars while BlackBerry added seven cents to 15.57 Canadian dollars.

Fortis Inc. rose 1.7 percent to 43.41 Canadian dollars while Hydro One increased 18 cents to 22.17 Canadian dollars.

Gold miners flourished as Barrick Gold gained 10 cents to 17.47 Canadian dollars while Goldcorp rose 15 cents to 17.66 Canadian dollars.

Advantage Oil and Gas lost eight cents to 3.98 Canadian dollars while Crew Energy fell 3.4 percent to 2.25 Canadian dollars.