Co-operators and leading co-operative and mutual insurers call for government action to strengthen Canada’s resilience
New research finds that fewer than half of Canadians could comfortably cover an unexpected $2,000 weather-related expense.
Guelph, ON - November 02, 2026 - For more than one-third (36%) of Canadians, managing an unexpected $2,000 weather-related cost would mean taking on debt, according to a new survey from Co-operators. The findings highlight the financial vulnerability many households face as severe weather events become more frequent and costly, further reinforcing the need for action.
The survey found that 78% of Canadians believe severe weather events are occurring more frequently, underscoring the importance of investments that help reduce losses before disasters occur. However, this comes at a time when municipalities across Canada are estimated to require more than $5 billion annually to adapt critical infrastructure for climate risks, which exceeds current available funding.
“Climate resilience is more than an environmental issue, it’s an economic security issue,” says Rob Wesseling, President & CEO, Co-operators. “As the costs increase, so do the financial pressures on Canadians. Investing in and committing to tangible policies for resilience and adaptation today can reduce future losses, support affordability and help protect Canadians from the financial impact of increasingly severe weather.”
As Canada’s first insurer to join the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, achieving carbon neutrality in its operations, and setting ambitious 2030 climate transition goals, Co-operators has a demonstrated commitment to enhancing resilience and supporting climate action.
Co-operative and mutual insurers are advocating for national commitment to prioritize resilience
Against the backdrop of the upcoming International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) Biennial Conference in Toronto from November 3 – 6, 13 leading Canadian mutual and co-operative insurers are advocating for a national commitment to resilience through smarter infrastructure investments, stronger building standards and risk-informed development policies, including modernizing the National Building Code. In a joint statement this collective call to action focuses on measures that can reduce risk before disasters occur, limit the growing financial burden on households, communities and governments, and strengthen Canada's economic resilience.
“As a sector, we see the consequences of severe weather long after the headlines fade,” says Wesseling. “Building resilience means helping Canadians and our communities prepare for challenges before they happen, and through investments in prevention, preparedness, and adaptation, we can reduce future costs and build stronger communities for the generations to come."
Canadians strongly support resilience-focused action
A large majority of Canadians (83%) agree that governments should prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure, with 86% supporting mandatory climate-resilience building standards, and nearly half (49%) favouring a strict prohibition on development in floodplains and wildfire zones. The financial burden of failing to prepare properly for climate disasters was also an area of concern, with 86% agreeing that this will ultimately cost taxpayers more than prevention.
To help ensure Canadians are prepared for the climate challenges ahead, we are committed to working alongside governments, communities, Indigenous Peoples, businesses and civil society to strengthen Canada’s resilience.
To learn more about Co-operators commitment to resilience and sustainability, visit cooperators.ca/sustainability.
About the survey
Conducted by Burson via Leger’s online panel from October 9–15, 2026, the survey polled 2,000 Canadian adults. The sample is nationally representative of the Canadian adult population across age, gender, and region based on 2021 Census benchmarks. While non-probability online panels do not report a formal margin of error, a comparable probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Co-operators
Proudly Canadian since 1945, Co-operators is a leading financial services cooperative offering multi-line insurance and investment solutions, as well as personalized services and advice to help Canadians build and maintain their financial security. With over $89 billion in assets under administration, it is renowned for its community involvement and efforts to create a more sustainable future. As a carbon-neutral organization, Co-operators is committed to achieving net-zero emissions in its operations and investments by 2040 and 2050, respectively. Co-operators is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and is ranked among the country’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens by Corporate Knights.
For media inquiries: media@cooperators.ca