Coal: A Canadian history

After nearly 400 years, the history of coal in Canada is coming to an end in many parts of the country due to the decline in demand for coal.

Since 1639, coal has been mined in the country. Coal has been a key energy source for Canada, but has also been at the centre of several large labour disputes and disasters over the years.

Today, Canadian coal usage is on the decline. Ontario phased-out coal power in 2014 and Alberta will also do so by 2030. Several coal plants and mines have closed in recent years, both as a result of a decline in Canadian consumption of coal and because of a dip in worldwide demand for it.

Here is a timeline of some of the most significant events and points of Canada's coal history: