Insured losses from two days of severe weather in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have exceeded $840 mn, according to the latest estimate from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).
The June 9-10 storms brought tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, torrential rain and flash flooding across both provinces, affecting tens of thousands of residents and businesses.
Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), said the frequency and severity of extreme weather have increased in recent years, particularly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, contributing to pressure on home insurance premiums.
“One of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of home insurance over the long term and better protect communities is to invest in resilience now,” Sutherland said.
Since 2021, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have recorded 30 catastrophic weather events with more than $2.5 bn in insured losses. That equates to nearly $1,000 in insured losses per person across the two provinces over the past five years, up 140% from the previous five-year period.
In 2025, wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan generated about $430 mn in insured losses, while flash flooding, hail and strong winds caused another $330 mn.
Canada has recorded 11 catastrophic weather events so far in 2026, including five affecting Manitoba and Saskatchewan. One was a dust storm that brought damaging winds to southern Manitoba and central and southern Saskatchewan, resulting in $40 mn in insured losses.
CatIQ is expected to release initial loss estimates for additional severe storms, hail and flooding that affected both provinces on June 26-30, July 4-6 and July 10-11.
Sutherland said 2026 is developing into another difficult year for severe weather across the Prairies, with homes and businesses damaged and communities disrupted.
“Insurers will continue to help them recover and rebuild from this storm and others – it’s what they’re there for,” he said.
