What major natural resource is Canada known for in terms of oil extraction?

Canada is particularly renowned for its oil sands, which are a significant source of crude oil. Located primarily in Alberta, the oil sands are a mixture of sand, water, clay, and bitumen. This bitumen can be extracted and processed into synthetic crude oil, making it a critical component of Canada’s energy sector. The oil sands represent one of the largest reserves of crude oil in the world and play a vital role in both Canada’s economy and its energy production.

Other options, while they relate to natural resources, do not capture the distinctive nature of Canada's contributions to global oil extraction as effectively as oil sands do. Natural gas is an important resource, but it is distinct from oil extraction in terms of extraction methods and market dynamics. Coal, while historically significant, does not play a leading role in Canada’s modern oil industry. Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy source that showcases Canada’s capabilities in energy generation but is unrelated to oil extraction specifically. Thus, the prominence of oil sands makes this choice the most accurate in the context of oil extraction resources in Canada.