A new Leger poll on severe weather has been released at the same time as Canada is facing its second-worst wildfire season on record. More than 2,000 fires have already scorched close to 40,000 square kilometres of the country, with the hardest-hit areas found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Out of a sampling of 1,529 Canadians, nearly one in four say they have been directly impacted by extreme weather events over the past year. The survey, which was conducted from June 13 to 15, found that 23% of respondents had personally experienced events such as heat waves, floods, wildfires, or tornadoes within the last 12 months.
Among those affected, nearly two-thirds reported having to stay indoors due to poor air quality, while 39% experienced emotional stress. About 27% had to postpone travel plans, and 20% reported property damage.
The number of Canadians reporting being personally impacted by extreme weather has declined since Leger’s August 2024 poll, when 35% said they had been affected. However, the 2024 survey took place during a period when fires were raging across nearly every province and thick smoke blanketed many communities for days or weeks.
Worries about hot summers and heat waves remain high, but concerns have eased since last year. The 2025 survey found nearly two-thirds of Canadians (with 74% in B.C. being the outlier) are worried about extreme summer heat. That’s down from 70% nationwide in August 2024. In addition, the number of Canadians who say they are worried about climate change has dropped to 59%, compared to 63% last August.
On the positive side, optimism is slightly up, with 50% now saying they believe there’s still time to reverse the effects of climate change, which is an increase of two points over last year.
Insured damages by severe weather incidents highest ever in 2024
While wildfires are still raging in many regions, it’s worth a reminder that even though this summer has been slightly better than last, the summer of 2024 was particularly awful. Canada experienced its costliest year on record for insured damage from severe weather, with losses surpassing $8 billion for the first time, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. This shattered the previous record of $6 billion set in 2016 during the Fort McMurray wildfires.
The 2024 figure represents nearly three times the insured losses recorded in 2023 and is more than 12 times higher than the average annual total of $701 million from 2001 to 2010.
The major insured weather-related losses in 2024 include:
- January 12 to 15: Deep freeze across Western Canada – $180 million
- May 16: Hailstorms in Manitoba – $60 million
- June 23: Severe storms in Saskatchewan – $135 million
- July 15 to 16: Flash flooding in Toronto and the GTA – $990 million
- July 22 to August 17: Wildfire near Jasper – $1.1 billion
- August 5: Calgary hailstorm – $3 billion
- August 9 to 10: Remnants of Hurricane Debby in Quebec – $2.7 billion
- August 13 to September 16: Flooding in the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario – $110 million
- October 18 to 20: Storms in southern British Columbia – $120 million
Insurance claims and disaster recovery
Recovering from a severe weather event can be overwhelming, but your expert insurance brokers here at Lane’s will help you get back on your feet. Here’s what you can expect during the claims process:
- Damage assessment: Your insurance company will assign an adjuster or property appraiser to assess the damage and estimate the cost of repairs to your home or auto. Once your coverage is confirmed and your claim is approved, you can move forward with repairs.
- Choosing a contractor: You have the option to hire a contractor of your choice or work with one recommended by your insurer. If you choose your own, consult with your adjuster first to confirm how much of their estimate your insurer will cover.
- Submitting proof of loss: Your adjuster will provide a “Proof of Loss” form, for which you provide a detailed list of damaged or destroyed property along with estimated costs. This form must be completed and submitted to move the claim forward.
- Timelines and next steps: Stay in regular contact with your adjuster to understand timelines and the full scope of the claims process. They are there to guide you and help ensure everything runs smoothly.
We’ve got you covered at Lane’s Insurance
Insurance brokers such as us at Lane’s work for you, not the insurance companies, which is why you can trust us more than the others. We have access to a number of different policies from Canada’s best insurance providers, which we can compare to find you excellent coverage at great rates. We know the right questions to ask to help you determine the right amount of coverage for your property and your belongings and can ensure your policy provides for living expenses while necessary repairs are being carried out to your home after a disaster.
You can rely on your broker for the professional service necessary to help you make a smart, educated decision about your home insurance. Contact us at our Calgary, Edmonton, Banff and Alberta offices.
