Canadian Energy

JACKSON HARWOOD
 Energy Consumption in Canada*

1%

26% 31%

Oil
Natural Gas
6% Coal
Nuclear
7% Hydroelectricity

29% Renewables

*Using data provided from World Energy Data Spreadsheet, 2011

Goals for future energy use

30 Year Outlook:
 Currently about 2/3 of Canada’s energy consumption is fossil fuels.
 Canada’s existing infrastructure is built around these fuels and its
energy use will only grow over next 30 years.
 Therefore, it is unrealistic to be completely rid of fossil fuels in 30
years, but that does not mean it cannot reduce them drastically.
 I propose that Canada should try to reduce its fossil fuel usage to
about 1/3 of its energy consumption, with almost complete
riddance of coal.
 Through expanding renewable sources, increasing efficiency of
current system, and reducing foreign dependence, this goal is
realistic in 30 years.
Proposal of Canadian Energy
Consumption by 2048
Energy Consumption

15%
24%

15%

10%
35% 1%

Oil Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Hydroelectricity Renewables

 As a share of total energy use, from 2018 to 2048:
 Oil decreases by 16%

Goals for  Natural Gas decreases by 14%

Coal decreases by 6%
future


 Nuclear increases by 4%

energy use  Hydroelectricity increases by 9%

 Renewables increases by 23%
Hydroelectricity
in Canada

 Currently second
leading producer of
hydroelectricity in the
world.
 Estimated potential is
twice that of current
capacity.
 Large mountain
ranges and rivers are
to thank for massive
potential energy in
country.

http://energybc.ca/images/largehydro/kerrdam.jpg
https://canadahydro.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/CHA-map-CapacityPotential-2015-940px.jpg
Wind Power

 Extensive miles of
coastline make ideal
conditions for wind
power.
 No offshore wind farms,
but are certainly a
possibility.
 Southern Prairies also
make for high wind
power spots.
 Currently fastest growing
energy sector in
Canada.

https://i.cbc.ca/1.3318474.1456960872!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/canada.jpg
Future Policy

 Future energy policy should emphasize transitioning the nation’s

energy infrastructure.
 Everyday renewable energies are becoming less expensive and
more efficient, becoming more and more competitive with fossil
fuels on the open market over time.
 However, most of country’s energy infrastructure is built around coal,
oil, and natural gas.
 Focus needs to be on creating infrastructure for electric vehicles
since most people still drive cars that run on oil.
 Also minimalizing inefficiencies in energy usage because of vast
waste.
 Steps need to be taken to insure that all hydroelectric projects
minimalize environmental damage as much as possible.
Funding
 Currently Canada provides nearly $3.3 billion in subsidies to the oil and gas
industry in the form of tax breaks, deductions, and subsidizing production.
 For years some provinces have had carbon tax, and just in last two years a
federal carbon tax at $10 per ton was announced.
 These policies are contradictory. Subsidies make fossil fuels cheaper, driving out
competition, whereas carbon tax would make it more expensive to use fossil
fuels.
 Current concerns about carbon tax are that it makes Canadian’s poorer (which
is not true, it provides more money in rebates than families pay), so why not
reduce and redirect current subsidies to fossil fuel industry to alternative
energies.
 This would:
1. Reduce taxes on Canadian citizens by close to $100 a year, offsetting
concerns over Carbon tax.
2. Reduce fossil fuel usage and increase competition with alternative energy
sources.
3. Decrease cost of other energy sources, so consumers have alternative energies
to choose from, thus they are paying a much smaller cost on carbon.
Additional Actions

 Federally
 As discussed before, decrease fossil fuel subsidies.
 Continue implementation of federal carbon tax.
 Take advantage of vast natural resources for wind and hydroelectric
energy.
 Provinces
 Focus energy funding on most efficient energy in region i.e. Quebec
focus on offshore wind farming
 Take steps to prevent mining of sand oil reserves, i.e. Alberta, through
use of taxes, land protection, and public pressure.
Additional Actions

 Cities
 Increased public transportation in major cities
 Local improvements to energy infrastructure to
reduce waste and inefficiencies.
 Local taxes to reduce energy use.
 Individual Subway system in Toronto
 Turning lights off when not in use.
 Carpooling to reduce gas usage.
 Voting for representatives who will support clean
energy and take steps to reduce and eliminate
fossil fuel usage.
Encouraging Public Support

 Education
 Take steps to educate the public on climate change and the importance of
changing Canada’s energy policy.
 Educate and spread information on how people can individually make a
difference in their everyday lives by reducing energy waste.
 Money
 At the end of the day, most people’s biggest concern with energy is not
climate change, environmental effects, or political corruptions, its cost.
 Subsidizing renewable energy sources make it more affordable for people,
offsetting concerns about increased carbon taxes and rising fossil fuel costs.
 Perhaps a more environmentally educated population would be willing to
pay increasing taxes for shifting towards renewable energy, but most people
care about paying less for their energy, so any steps that can be taken to
do so will gather more support than maybe anything else.
 Works Cited
 https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/renewable-
electricity/7295
 https://canadahydro.ca/facts/
 https://canwea.ca/wind-facts/why-wind-works/
 https://www.iisd.org/faq/unpacking-canadas-fossil-fuel-
subsidies/
 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-
consensus-97-per-cent/2018/oct/26/canada-passed-a-
carbon-tax-that-will-give-most-canadians-more-money