Tributary Public Risk (TPR), a newly established insurance provider focused exclusively on public sector organisations, has formally commenced operations as the first insurer domiciled in Canada designed specifically for this market.
The company was created to address the distinct risk, governance and procurement requirements of municipalities, schools, Crown agencies and other public bodies. Working through licensed insurance brokers, TPR adopts a data-led underwriting model supported by service standards aligned with public sector expectations.
Its launch coincides with continued investment in public infrastructure across Canada. Forecasts from ConstructConnect indicate that civil construction will remain the primary driver of the country’s construction market through to 2027.
The sector is expected to grow by around 26%, rising from $32.6 billion in 2025 to approximately $41 billion by 2027. Civil works are projected to represent nearly half of all non-residential construction activity, underlining the increasing focus on public infrastructure delivery.
At the same time, public sector organisations are facing heightened financial exposure linked to extreme weather and natural disasters. Data from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) show that insured losses from severe weather exceeded $2.4 billion in 2025, making it the tenth most costly year on record. Figures published by the
Insurance Bureau of Canada indicate that insured losses from catastrophic weather events and wildfires between 2016 and 2025 nearly tripled compared with the previous decade, while the average number of claims has almost doubled.
TPR offers a suite of insurance programmes tailored to public sector needs. These include Owner Controlled Insurance Programmes (OCIP) for major construction projects, Job Order Contract Insurance Programmes (JOCIP) for repair and maintenance delivered through job order contracting, and parametric insurance products designed to provide rapid, pre-agreed financial support following defined disaster events.
Drawing on experience in public procurement and municipal advocacy, TPR applies a disciplined, procurement-led approach to insurance placement and programme management. Its model prioritises transparency, consistency and accountability across underwriting, documentation and service delivery.
The company is backed by Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, which represents municipalities and other public entities nationwide. Through this partnership, TPR combines access to insurance markets with governance structures aligned to public sector values.
“Public sector organisations face exposures that differ fundamentally from commercial risks,” commented Chris Lorne, Chief Executive Officer of Tributary Public Risk. “Tributary was built to serve that reality. Our focus is on clear programs, responsive service, and insurance structures that fit how public entities plan, procure, and deliver services.”
Duane Gladden, Board Member of Tributary Public Risk and Executive Director & CEO of both Canoe Procurement Group of Canada and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), added: “For decades, municipalities and other public organisations have been telling us the same thing: their risks are different, and the insurance market has not always reflected that reality. Tributary Public Risk was built from that experience. It is for the public sector, by the public sector, and grounded in a deep understanding of how public organisations operate, plan, and remain accountable to their communities.”
Tributary Public Risk is now operational. Public sector organisations are encouraged to contact their insurance broker to explore the relevance of its programmes, while brokers may approach TPR directly for submission and programme information.
