This is in stark contrast to its southern neighbour, the US, where President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to revive the coal sector.

Canada's Liberal government ran on a platform to do more for the environment, and the Canadian Parliament last month ratified the Paris agreement to curb climate-warming emissions after its Liberal government made environmental measures a priority.

Canadian Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said Canada's coal regulation, which accelerated an existing phase-out timetable, would take into account the different stances taken by Canada’s provinces, some of which have resisted the federal government's plans to counter climate change.

Four provinces still burn coal for electricity ­­– Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

McKenna said some Canadian plants would be allowed to stay open if equivalent emission reductions are achieved elsewhere.

She said 80% of Canada’s electricity already came from non-emitting sources.

"Our goal is to make Canada's electricity 90% non-emitting by 2030," McKenna said.