Changes to provincial disaster assistance to be announced in wake of major Sask. storms

In the midst of a costly year for storm damage to Saskatchewan communities, the Government of Saskatchewan is announcing changes to its Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) on Thursday.

A formal announcement of the policies, according to the province, will be held in Alvena at 1 p.m.

The program is meant to provide financial assistance to “communities, individuals, small businesses, small agricultural operations, non-profit organizations and certain others with the cost of recovering from losses or damage to essential, uninsurable property caused by natural disasters,” the SPSA said.

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The program can also provide financial help for “immediate actions undertaken to reduce the effects of an imminent disaster.”

After significant wild weather so far in 2026, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said it had received 107 approved designations through its Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) as of July 10.

In an emailed statement from the SPSA, it said that number is well above the 10-year average of 43 approved designations.

Submission guidelines for a claim through the PDAP program allows claimants from a community designated for assistance to have six months from the disaster to make their claim for assistance. Claimants also have one year from the disaster to claim eligible expenses.

“Due to the submission timelines, it is too early to provide meaningful information on claim values, but volumes are expected to be high,” the SPSA said in its statement.

The SPSA said any local authorities in need of assistance for their residents or for municipal damages can contact 1-866-632-4033 for assistance making a PDAP designation.

Individuals in need of help are advised to reach out to their local authority for a private claim application, the SPSA noted.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Premier Scott Moe said he will be visiting communities hit by some of the extreme weather events this year on the eastern side of the province.

“On my way this afternoon,” Moe said. “As you know, the very community where I live had a fire earlier this year.”

Moe said he’s already visited a few impacted communities this year.