Ensuring the Future of Canadian Energy

Issue: 

Canada has an abundance of natural resources that generate direct wealth for Canadians through production and export. Increasingly, these commodities represent a large contribution to Canada’s economic growth; however, Canada still spends billions energy imports annually. Access to markets for commodities, specifically electricity, oil and gas, represents a significant obstacle in Canada’s ability to secure a competitive position in the global economy. Further, failure to develop these projects leads to negative impacts on Canadian businesses and ultimately their families. 

Background: 

In 2023, Canada imported $57.9 billion worth of energy products, while producing nearly twice as much energy as it used. 

Canadian energy resulted in approximately 697,000 jobs across the country in 2023. That same year, approximately 150,744 workers in Alberta, were directly or indirectly employed in the energy sector. This generated $167 billion in 2023, which in turn funded many public services. This highlights the importance of the energy industry for the wellbeing of Canadians. 

Our Recommendations

1. Prioritize supplying all Canadians with a secure and stable source of Canada’s natural resources;

     2. Support projects which ensure market access, whether national or international, for Canada’s natural resources; and,

     3. Remove any barriers to the trade of electricity and fossil fuel trade between provinces to improve energy security, increase affordability, and realize the full value of energy resources.