Final answer:
The two fuels that provide about half of the energy used in Canada are oil and natural gas. Together with coal, they make up the majority of the fossil fuels consumed for energy, particularly in electricity generation. However, the shift from coal to cleaner natural gas is ongoing due to carbon emission concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two fuels that provide about one-half of all the energy used in Canada are oil and natural gas. More than 80% of the total energy expenditure in Canada and the United States is provided by the combustion of fossil fuels, with oil, coal, and natural gas as the primary sources. Specifically, oil and natural gas are dominant in the energy mix, being critical for electricity generation, domestic heating, and transportation. Coal also plays a role in electricity generation, though its use is gradually declining due to environmental concerns and regulatory pressure, shifting some energy production towards cleaner-burning natural gas.
In terms of electricity generation in the US, which can be used as a proxy due to similarities in energy profiles with Canada, coal and natural gas are the primary fossil fuels used, contributing 45% and 23% respectively. However, with growing awareness and concern over carbon emissions and climate change, there has been a shift towards using more natural gas over coal due to its lower carbon footprint. While there is an emerging interest in renewable sources of energy, fossil fuels remain the backbone of the current energy framework.