A new survey by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reveals growing concern among Canadians about the country’s ability to handle natural disasters. Conducted in August 2025 by Angus Reid, the poll of 1,506 adults found that 58% of Canadians believe their communities aren’t prepared, and 61% say governments aren’t coordinating disaster responses effectively. An overwhelming 80% support creating a national emergency management agency to centralize disaster planning across provinces.
In response, IBC is urging federal leaders to implement its Three-Point Resilience Plan, designed to better protect Canadians from the rising costs and impacts of severe weather. The plan calls for:
- Restricting development in high-risk areas and improving building standards.
- Investing in stronger infrastructure and updated hazard maps to boost climate resilience.
- Closing protection gaps through public-private partnerships and risk-based insurance reforms.
IBC is also calling for a National Summit on Disaster Resilience, similar to the recent successful summit on auto theft. With insured losses topping $9 billion in 2024, the organization warns that urgent action is needed.
Read more on Insurance Bureau of Canada