Canada, with its vast wealth of natural resources, is fortunate to be one of the world’s largest energy producers and exporters. From oil and gas to wind, solar, nuclear, hydro, and biofuels, energy in Canada is produced in vast quantities that support a strong economy and ensure resource security for families across the country, the U.S., and abroad.
Home to the world’s 2nd-largest uranium reserves, 3rd-largest oil reserves, 9th-largest natural gas reserves, and 1/5th of the world’s freshwater, Canada is one of the world’s top electricity producers, generating about 80% of our power supply from sources such as hydro and nuclear. Canada also consistently ranks among the world’s top electricity exporters, sending $3.3 billion of power to the U.S. in 2025 [1].
Canadians should be proud of what the energy sector does for our families and governments, including an oversized economic contribution, accounting for 10.3% – or $279 billion – of Canada’s economy, 28% of our total merchandise exports, and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide in 2023 [2].
In other words, energy in Canada has a massive, irreplaceable impact on the national economy. As a country, Canada would not be as strong and prosperous without our energy resources, and the world would be much less energy-secure. But we can do more - and should, as our closest allies and trading partners are asking us to step up.
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Canada’s Role in Global Energy Security
With projected global demand for oil, natural gas, renewables, nuclear, and other emerging forms of energy growing for decades to come, Canada is ideally positioned to meet the world’s energy security needs.
The reality is that we will need all forms of energy to meet ever-increasing demand domestically and abroad in rapidly developing emerging market economies. We don’t have to choose between supporting oil and gas or renewables; we can support all of the above for a more energy-secure world, and a stronger, more prosperous Canada.
By building new pipelines, power plants, transmission lines, ports, railways, and roads, our country can play an increasingly important role in global energy security, bringing immense economic benefits for Canadian families and governments from coast to coast.
Canadian Energy: Global Rankings
| Energy Type | Global Reserves | Global Producer | Global Exporter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium | 3rd largest | 2nd largest | 2nd largest |
| Electricity | 8th largest | 7th largest | 2nd largest |
| Oil | 4th largest | 4th largest | 3rd largest |
| Natural Gas | 9th largest | 5th largest | 6th largest |
| Hydroelectricity | 4th largest | 3rd largest | — |
| Coal | 19th largest | 14th largest | 8th largest |
| Renewables | — | 6th largest | — |
| Nuclear Power | — | 6th largest | — |
| Wind Power | — | 9th largest capacity | — |
| Biofuels | — | 13th largest | — |
Supporting Canada's Energy Families
A strong energy industry benefits Canadian and Indigenous families and communities nationwide. Supporting energy in Canada means you’re supporting a better future for our country as a whole.
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Energy in Canada: FAQs
According to the latest available data (2021), natural gas accounted for 38% of Canada’s end-use energy/fuel demand, with refined petroleum products coming in a close second at 37% [4] – making oil and natural gas the country’s biggest energy sources.
Canada produces more than enough crude oil and also has one of the world’s largest proven reserves to sustain its domestic needs. However, due to limited cross-country infrastructure, central and Atlantic Canadian provinces rely heavily on imports from foreign sources, including the U.S.
Canadian provinces and territories without direct access to Canada’s vast oil and natural gas reserves rely on imports – mainly from the United States – due to infrastructure limitations, cost-effectiveness, and other factors.
Yes. Canada has enough electricity-generating capacity to meet its energy needs and export excess power to the United States [5]. In recent years, Canadian electricity demand has been growing significantly, and as a result, exports to the U.S. continue to decline.
In some instances, Canadian jurisdictions now import more U.S. electricity to supplement demand.
In fact, Canadian power demand could double or triple by 2050 [6], showing an urgent need to build new electricity plants, including natural gas and hydro, as well as nuclear and other renewables.
Canada holds the world’s 4th-largest oil reserves and 9th-largest natural gas reserves, so the likelihood of running out of domestic supply anytime soon is low. However, because some central and Atlantic Canadian provinces rely on foreign oil and natural gas, ensuring energy security remains a challenge.
SOURCES:
1 – https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/market-snapshots/2026/market-snapshot-overview-of-2025-canada-us-energy-trade.html
2 - https://energy-information.canada.ca/en/energy-facts
3 - https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-gas/alberta-major-revision-oil-gas-reserve-estimates
4 - https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/province-territory-energy-profiles/canada.html
5 - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-sources/electricity-infrastructure/powering-canada-strong-national-strategy-electrified-canadian-economy
6 - https://cna.ca/2025/09/15/canada-faces-unprecedented-electricity-demand-growth-nuclear-energy-critical-to-meeting-2050-needs/