Michael Weger, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, addresses reporters at an event in Alvena on July 16, announcing changes to the PDAP program. (Image Credit: Marija Robinson/CKOM)

By Marija Robinson/CKOM

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Changes made to assistance to help individuals and businesses impacted by disasters in province

Jul 17, 2026 | 9:34 AM

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced changes to the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) in the midst of a busy season of storms, floods and wildfires.

The province said the changes aim to better help individuals and businesses that have been affected by recent flooding in the province and other disasters.

The changes — announced at an event in Alvena today — will expand eligibility for PDAP assistance, and, according to the government, will bring the program more in line with the updated federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

The updated PDAP program will increase the maximum assistance for individuals from $240,000 to $500,000 and increase the maximum assistance for businesses from $500,000 to $3,000,000. The compensation model will also change to one that is based on standard replacement value, as opposed to depreciated value.

Deductibles for municipalities are also impacted by the changes. Local authorities will be able to lower their deductible by meeting emergency management and preparedness criteria.

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Additionally, there will be new maximum deductibles for larger municipalities, which the government touts as “making costs more predictable and manageable.”

The start of the announcement in Alvena about changes to the PDAP program on July 16, 2026. (Image Credit: Marija Robinson/CKOM)

The program will also provide up to 25 per cent of a claim’s value in funding that can be used for projects that reduce future risk.

The government stressed PDAP is designed to provide claimants with “essential needs in extraordinary circumstances” and cannot be used for minor losses, or to fully restore damage to a pre-disaster state.

The changes to PDAP are retroactive to April 1, which means residents, municipalities, agricultural producers and businesses affected by heavy rains and flooding earlier this year are eligible to make a claim.

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by Marija Robinson/CKOM

Changes made to assistance to help individuals and businesses impacted by disasters in province

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