In 2002, Canada produced 66.6 million tonnes (Mt) of coal. About 40% of that, 26.8 Mt, was exported to over 20 different countries in the Pacific Rim, Europe and South America. Japan, Canada's largest coal customer, purchased 10.7 Mt of coal in 2001. Over 97% (10.4 Mt) of that coal exported to Japan was metallurgical coal, used for making steel.

Of the ten provinces, Ontario and Alberta consume by far the greatest amounts of coal. In 2001, Alberta used 25.5 Mt, about 42% of the coal consumed in Canada. In the same year, Ontario used 19.1 Mt, or about 32% of Canada's coal use. Four other provinces use coal to generate electricity: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Although much of its production is used domestically, Canada imported 22.1 Mt of coal for industrial use in Ontario and Quebec and for electrical generation in Ontario and New Brunswick.

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