Powering Canada’s economy

Now’s the time, Canada. The oil sands industry is ready to help strengthen our economy when we need it most. Costs are rising, incomes aren’t keeping up, and economic uncertainty has families struggling. That’s why it’s important to keep all sectors of our economy going strong—including our oil sands.

Canada benefits from a strong energy sector

Now and in the years to come, the energy sector will contribute to Canada’s economic well-being.

From 2017–2023 the oil and gas sector contributed $123 billion to federal and provincial governments1. The contributions of the oil sands industry help to fund roads, bridges, schools and more.

$1 trillion

contributed by the oil sands industry to the Canadian economy over the past 25 years.2

446,000+

Canadians directly or indirectly employed by the oil and gas industry.3

$34.1B

in income taxes and royalties paid by the industry in 2023 alone.4

Who we are

Canadian Natural
Cenovus Energy
ConocoPhillips
Imperial
MEG Energy
Suncor

Pathways Alliance is made up of Canadian Natural, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor representing six of Canada’s largest oil sands producers.

The world needs secure energy

With the fourth largest oil reserves in the world,5 Canada has an important role to play in the global energy future. Forecasts vary, but what’s certain is that global energy demand hasn’t peaked yet—and oil will continue to be a major part of the energy mix.

  • The global middle class is currently growing at a pace of 100 million people per year.6
  • Today, worldwide oil consumption is just over 100 million barrels per day.7

Innovating Canada’s Oil Sands

Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) is the innovation arm of Pathways Alliance. Since 2012, COSIA has focused on collaborative action and innovation in oil sands environmental technology.

COSIA brings together academics, researchers, innovators and others to collaborate on solutions that could produce improvements in four priority areas:

  • Tailings
  • Water
  • Land
  • Greenhouse gases

Economy and Innovation fact sheet

May 2025

Download print Fact SHeet
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1, 4Statistics Canada.
2 Edmonton Journal, 2024. (2000-2021 data collected through CAPP; 2021-2024 data from public sources. This number does not represent profits or dividends. It is the amount of direct spending: capital, operating expenses, taxes and royalties.)
3, 5 Energy Fact Book 2024–2025, National Resources Canada, 2024.
6 World Data Lab via Visual Capitalist Blog, 2024.
7 International Energy Agency, 2024.