June 5 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index

inched higher on Wednesday ahead of the crucial interest rate

decision by the Bank of Canada, while oil continued its slide on

an expected supply boost later in the year.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.1% at

6:22 a.m. ET (10:22 GMT).

Commodity-linked stocks, particularly from the energy

sector, have dragged the Toronto markets down this week on

sliding oil prices, but utilities shares have limited declines

in the hope of interest rate cuts this year.

All eyes will be on the Canadian central bank at 0815 ET,

where it is widely expected to trim interest rates to 4.75%, for

the first time in more than four years. A Reuters poll showed

three further cuts this year.

Money markets are betting on an almost 83% chance of a rate

cut later in the day.

The loonie was lower against the U.S. dollar and was

last at C$1.3682.

Oil prices hovered near four-month lows on the day, which

could impact the energy index further, on an expected supply

boost later in the year when OPEC+ begins to unwind some output

cuts, with markets also digesting U.S. jobs data and higher oil

stocks.

Gold prices edged higher, helped by weakness in the U.S.

dollar and Treasury yields, while copper prices remained weak

due to weak physical demand in top consumer China.

Investors will also closely monitor the private payrolls

data from the United States at 0815 ET to gauge the strength of

the American labor market.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index

ended at a 6-day low on Tuesday as signs of faltering

global economic growth pressured commodity-linked stocks.

In company news, waste management giant GFL Environmental ( GFL )

is reported to have hired a financial adviser to review

two buyout offers.

COMMODITIES AT 6:22 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $2,339; +0.1%

US crude: $73.14; -0.2%

Brent crude: $77.46; -0.1%

($1= C$1.3682)