Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles

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Provincial & Territorial Energy Profiles

Introduction

Queens Quay in Toronto

Energy plays a significant role in our daily lives and contributes greatly to the high quality of life enjoyed by all Canadians. It feeds us and moves us. It keeps us warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and brightens our homes and workplaces. Energy is also a significant driver of the Canadian economy, contributing roughly 11% of gross domestic product and directly employing over 276 000 Canadians.

Canada is rich in energy supply. This includes the large hydroelectric reservoirs of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, hydrocarbon resources of western Canada and offshore East Coast, uranium deposits in northern Saskatchewan, and abundant wind and solar potential across the country. This wealth of resources ranks Canada as the fourth largest natural gas producer, fourth largest crude oil producer, third largest hydro producer and tenth largest renewable electricity generator.

How Canadians use energy varies as much as how Canadians produce it. Refined petroleum products (RPPs), such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil, are the largest form of energy consumed by Canadians. After RPPs, however, the types and quantities of fuels consumed vary greatly. Hydro-rich jurisdictions generally use more electricity, while jurisdictions with broad natural gas distribution networks use more natural gas than those with limited or no natural gas distribution networks.

Our energy production and consumption habits also have environmental implications. Hydrocarbon-producing or coal-consuming jurisdictions generally have a higher greenhouse gas footprint than hydroelectric- and nuclear-based jurisdictions.

Canada is a mosaic of diverse and evolving energy systems. These systems provide Canadians with the energy they need, when they need it. Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles explores these systems by providing facts on energy production, use, transformation, transportation, and trade. These profiles illustrate the diversity of our energy systems and provide readers with information to engage in discussions about energy in Canada.

We welcome your comments, questions, and feedback:
energy-energie@cer-rec.gc.ca

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