The Canadian dollar charged closer to $1.03 US Thursday as it benefited from higher commodity prices, a bigger trade surplus and a U.S. greenback sliding ever lower.

The loonie closed trading at $1.0243 US, up more than two-fifths of a cent. Earlier in the day, it went to $1.0277 US — its highest level since Nov. 2, 1976. 

Oil prices provided much of the lift, as crude futures bolted ahead by $1.79 US a barrel to $83.09 US in New York trading.

The oil rise followed a U.S. Energy Department report that showed an unexpected decline in crude supplies.

Gold prices jumped almost $11 US an ounce as the U.S. currency lost more ground against most major world currencies.

The loonie added to its gains following the release of a better-than-expected trade report that showed Canada's trade surplus in August rose to $4.1 billion.   

The Canadian dollar first reached parity in its current run-up against the U.S. dollar on Sept. 20.