2026 Executive Outlook | Richard Grant, Trisura Group Ltd.

Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry will undergo a transformative shift in 2026, marked by the deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday workflows and routine tasks. This evolution promises to accelerate timelines and ease longstanding operational pain points.

Expect the enduring importance of relationships across the insurance ecosystem to remain constant throughout this state of technological advancement.

What has kept me in this industry for nearly 30 years is the people. In insurance, we trade on trust; the reputations of individuals and organizations matter. Brokers choose to work with underwriters on whom they can rely, and every interaction either strengthens or weakens that trust.

AI offers tremendous potential. It also introduces new challenges: preserving meaningful relationships, addressing talent gaps, and navigating emerging knowledge divides.

The real challenge isn’t the speed of AI adoption. It’s how to thoughtfully balance its capabilities against the irreplaceable value of human connection. Success in 2026 will be defined by our ability to deliver streamlined digital experiences without compromising the expert advice, judgment, and relationship-building that have long been hallmarks of our industry.

Transitioning to AI underscores the urgent need to invest in talent — both existing and new. The workforce of the future must be agile, tech-savvy and data-literate, while also embodying the values and wisdom of the industry’s pioneers. Attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent — and ensuring knowledge transfer across generations — will be essential to long-term success. Ultimately, 2026 will be about more than efficiency or technology. It will be about making sure innovation strengthens, not erodes, the trust and relationships that form the foundation of our industry — all the while preparing for a risk landscape that’s more volatile, interconnected and demanding than ever before.