Taking action in support of our vital natural resource sector

Energy in Canada

Canada, with its vast wealth of natural resources, is fortunate to be one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of many kinds of energy.

Home to the world’s third largest supply of proven oil reserves, the third largest uranium reserves, and one-fifth of the world’s fresh water resources, Canada is also one of the world’s top electricity producers and generates more than 80 per cent of its power supply from non-emitting sources such as hydro and nuclear.

Canada was also the top electricity exporter in the world in 2021 ^[1], sending huge amounts of energy 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.

Whether it be oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, or biofuels, Canadians should be proud that our energy industry is one of the most transparent and environmentally responsible in the world. To no surprise, the sector is also a major contributor to our economy, accounting for 9.7 per cent of Canada’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP), 32 per cent of total Canadian goods exports and 635,000 jobs in 2021 ^[1].

Canadian Energy Industry Facts

Globally, Canada is a top 10 producer and exporter of many forms of energy ^[1]:

• 1^st largest exporter of electricity
• 3^rd largest producer of hydroelectricity
• 3^rd largest producer of uranium
• 3^rd largest exporter of crude oil
• 4^th largest producer of crude oil
• 5^th largest exporter of uranium
• 5^th largest producer of natural gas
• 6^th largest exporter of natural gas
• 6^th largest producer of primary energy
• 6^th largest producer of nuclear power
• 6^th largest producer of electricity
• 7^th largest producer of renewable energy
• 8^th largest capacity of wind power
• Top 10 producer of hydrogen

Energy Sector & Environmental Leadership

Canada's energy sector has a long record of environmental stewardship ^[1][2]:

• In Canada, about 83 per cent of electricity is sourced from non-emission generation such as hydro, nuclear and biofuels
• Between 2000 and 2020, Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dropped by 7.5 per cent, while GDP grew 39 per cent
• Between 2000 and 2020, emissions from electricity production in Canada dropped by 56 per cent
• Between 2000 and 2020, emissions from heavy industry have decreased by 24 per cent, largely due to improvements in energy efficiency and fuel switching
• The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of Canada’s oil sands sector dropped by nearly 23 percent between 2000 and 2019
• The GHG emissions intensity of Canada’s conventional oil sector dropped by more than 32 per cent between 2000 and 2019
• The GHG emissions intensity of Canada’s natural gas production dropped by roughly 22 per cent between 2011 and 2019
• In 2022, Canada had 183 clean technology projects underway, valued at $116 billion
• In 2019, environmental protection expenditures by the energy sector totalled $4.2 billion, representing 48 per cent of spending made by all industries in Canada. The oil and gas sector accounted for $3.1 billion, slightly more than one third (34%) of total environmental protection spending in the country.
• Canadian residential energy efficiency improved by 32 per cent between 2000 and 2019
• Canadian commercial and institutional sectors improved energy efficiency by 13% between 2000 and 2019
• Energy efficiency in Canada improved by 10% between 2000 and 2019

Canadians Should Support All Energy Sources

The world is currently undergoing an energy crisis, one of the worst in history ^[3]. Meanwhile, global demand for oil, natural gas, renewables, nuclear and other emerging forms of energy are projected to continue growing to new record highs for years to come.

Regardless of what the future holds for global energy demand, the world will need all forms of energy for decades to come. Canada, a major energy superpower and one of the few democratic energy exporters, has a critical role to play in providing nations worldwide with the responsibly produced energy they need.

Take Action – Join Us Today!

A strong Canadian energy industry is good for our families and allies. It is also good for global climate action 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 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook today - we hope to see you there!

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80% of Canadians agree — we need to invest in wind and solar while also continuing to develop Canada's oil and natural gas resources.#AllOfTheAbove #CanadianEnergy https://t.co/HIxAOKPjLs pic.twitter.com/vJw2Z0CbrS

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) March 27, 2023

SOURCES:

_{1 – Natural Resources Canada – Energy Fact Book 2022-2023 – Date Accessed: March 2023}

_{2 – Canadian Energy Centre – 50 Facts about oil and gas: a summary research brief – Date Accessed: March 2023 (https://www.canadianenergycentre.ca/50-facts-about-oil-and-gas-a-summary-research-brief/)}

_{3 – International Energy Agency – World Energy Outlook 2022 – Date Accessed: March 2023 (https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2022)}