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. This is why Canada needs to develop its own reliable infrastructure to make sure all Canadians have access to a stable supply of oil.
Recommendations
That the Government of Alberta:
- Prioritize supplying all Canadians with a secure and stable source of Canada’s natural resources;
- Support projects which ensure market access, whether national or international, for Canada’s natural resources; and,
- Work with the Government of Canada to 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.
