In Canada, the abundance of petroleum, uranium, coal and hydroelectric power has driven this nation's industrial development, and allowed Canadians to have one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Available and affordable energy is crucial in Canada, where homes and workplaces must be regulated against temperature extremes, and goods shipped long distances.

Energy production, distribution and exports account for 7.5 percent of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP), contributing $51 billion to Canada's $681.5-billion economy in 1995. The energy sector attracts $21.8 billion a year in new investment, more than one-sixth of the Canadian total.

Export power

Energy is also a major contributor to Canada's balance of trade. The $15.5 billion in net energy exports accounts for 40 percent of the country's overall merchandise trade balance. Ninety percent of Canada's energy exports go to the United States.

The nuclear industry

Canada is a pioneer in developing nuclear energy for peaceful uses. The industry spans the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining and electricity production to decommissioning, managing nuclear fuel-waste, nuclear research and development, and applying nuclear technology in the medical field.

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL), a federal Crown corporation, does the research, development and basic CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactor design and engineering work. It also markets the CANDU abroad, and manages reactor-building projects.

The petroleum industry

The petroleum industry plays a key role in Canada's $40.5 billion energy sector. In 1995, the production of crude oil and natural gas, the sale of refined petroleum products and pipeline transportation were together worth $23.1 billion. This represents 4.3 percent of Canada's gross domestic product and nearly 200,000 jobs.

Petroleum-related industries

An important secondary industry has developed around Canada's petroleum industry.

For example, there are now about 1,500 small- and medium-sized enterprises, employing about 35,000 people, involved in supplying oil and gas equipment and services. In 1994, the estimated value of shipments was $5 billion. Exports accounted for nearly one-third of this amount. Advanced technologies developed by Canadian firms, often in cooperation with key customers, involve drilling, specialized recovery and product processing. Among other things, these technologies use automation to reduce manual labour, improve processes and performance, and enhance safety on the rig floor.

Electrical power equipment and services

Similarly, an associated industry has grown around Canada's extensive electricity-generating operations. More than 300 companies manufacture equipment for hydro-, thermal- and nuclear-generating stations. Products include power transmission and distribution equipment, electrical wire and cable products, power and distribution transformers, control and protection equipment, power-conversion equipment and alternative energy systems.

There is also a related services industry, including 35 consulting engineering firms. The combined output of this sector, employing 35,000 people, is $6.8 billion