Taking action in support of our vital natural resource sector

Energy in Canada

Canada, rich in natural resources, is fortunate to be one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of energy. Home to the world’s 3rd largest supply of proven oil reserves, the 3rd largest uranium reserves, and 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water resources, Canada is also one of the world’s top electricity producers that generates more than 80 per cent of its power supply from non-emitting sources.

We also are the world's 3rd top exporter of electricity with about 8 per cent of our electricity generation being sent to the U.S. where it prevents the release of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by displacing more greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive forms of generation each year.

Canada’s energy production – whether it be oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, or biofuels – is done under one of the most transparent and environmentally responsible regulatory regimes in the world. All Canadians should be proud of our world-class energy sector which also is a major contributor to our economy (10 per cent of GDP per annum) and supports over 800,000 jobs from coast-to-coast.

Canadian Energy Industry Facts

Globally, Canada is a top 10 producer and exporter of many forms of energy. We are the...

• 2^nd largest producer and exporter of uranium
• 3^rd largest exporter of electricity
• 4^th largest producer of hydropower
• 4^th largest producer of natural gas
• 4^th largest producer and exporter of crude oil
• 6^th largest exporter of natural gas
• 6^th largest producer of nuclear power
• 6^th largest producer of electricity
• 9^th largest producer of onshore wind energy
• 10^th largest producer of bioenergy

Energy Sector & Environmental Leadership

Canada's energy sector has a long record of environmental stewardship, as proven by a long list of facts including:

• In Canada, about 82 per cent of electricity is sourced from non-emission generation such as hydro, nuclear and biofuels
• Between 1990 and 2017, energy efficiency in Canada improved by 31 per cent
• Between 2000 and 2018, Canada's total electricity GHG emissions decreased by 46 per cent
• Canada has reduced its consumption of coal by 17 per cent since 1990 and by 26 per cent since 2000
• Heavy industry emissions in Canada have decreased almost 17 per cent despite an increase in GDP of 13 per cent in the industrial sector
• Between 2000 and 2018, oil sands emissions intensities per barrel have decreased 36 per cent
• Between 2010 and 2018, renewable electricity generation has increased 16 per cent with solar and wind capacity seeing the largest growth

*Sources: Natural Resources Canada, Government of Canada, International Renewable Energy Association, Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canadian Solar Energy Association

Canadians Should Support All Energy Sources

Prior to the crisis in 2020, global energy demand was projected to grow by 12 per cent between 2019 and 2030. Now, the IEA predicts that growth over this period to be down to 9 per cent in the STEPS scenario and 4 per cent in the DRS.

Regardless of what the future beholds for global energy demand, fact is that the world will need all forms of energy for decades to come. Oil, natural gas, wind, hydro, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and others all contribute significantly to the world’s energy mix and have a critical role to play in providing nations worldwide with the energy supply they need today, and in the future.

Canada, being one of the most transparent, regulated and environmentally responsible energy producers on the planet, should be one of the last major energy supplying nations to get “out of the pool.”

Take Action – Join Us Today!

Canada’s world-class record on Environmental, Social and Governance metrics, as exemplified by the facts above, should make us a global energy supplier of choice. Global oil and gas demand, for example, is projected to increase for many years yet; Canada’s leadership in cleantech and innovation, renewable energy production and emission intensity reductions in the oil and gas sector all point towards one thing: our nation should be making a huge effort to account for as much global energy market share as possible as we transition to a lower carbon future.

A healthy energy industry is good for Canadian families who depend on the sector for jobs, and it’s also for the global environment as we produce our natural resources under one of the most transparent and environmentally conscious regulatory regimes in the world.

Learn more about why the world needs more Canadian resources by joining us at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook today - we hope to see you there!

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