Question Period Note: Oil Imports

Despite being among the top oil exporters in the world, Canada’s eastern refineries still rely on oil imports from the US and other countries to meet domestic demand.
According to Statistics Canada, oil imports from Saudi Arabia have been rising steadily for the past five years.

• Canada has a market-based energy framework whereby the private sector makes decisions on imports and exports, including based on cost.
• Overall, Canada is a net exporter of fuels. However, in certain circumstances, Canada does rely on imports.
o For example, refineries in Eastern Canada may choose to import crude oil when it is more economical for their operations.
• Our government is working to build a clean energy future and reach net-zero emissions by 2050 by investing in innovation and delivering economic growth, competitive industries and clean jobs while protecting the environment.
• Energy efficiency is a vital part of that equation and a key factor in our transition to a low carbon economy.
• Through Budget 2019, we announced investments of $1 billion in energy efficiency measures across Canada.
• While we work towards this transition, we understand the importance of building pipeline capacity to gain access to global markets.
• That is why our government approved the Line 3 replacement project and the Trans Mountain Expansion project.
If pressed:
• Oil imports have steadily declined since 2010 (to just under 660,000 barrels per day in 2019).
o The majority of crude oil imports come from the US (over 70%), followed by Saudi Arabia (16%), Russia (3%), Cote d’Ivoire (1%) and others.

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