Canada's fossil fuel reliance remains steady despite climate policies

A new study from the Fraser Institute indicates that Canada’s reliance on fossil fuels has remained largely unchanged over the last two decades. According to the report, fossil fuels accounted for 76.3 per cent of Canada’s domestic energy consumption in 2024, compared to 76.8 per cent in 1995.

Despite various climate transition policies implemented over the years, including a consumer carbon tax and significant spending on clean energy initiatives, the data suggests that the energy mix has seen minimal movement. The report highlights that major sectors remain heavily dependent on traditional energy, with nearly 75 per cent of industrial energy use and over half of residential energy use still tied to fossil fuels.