With wildfires, floods, and powerful storms becoming more frequent across Canada, a recent survey by First Onsite Property Restoration sheds light on what truly matters to Canadians during emergencies. As natural disasters force more people to evacuate their homes with little warning, the results offer a compelling look at what items Canadians prioritize—and which they’re willing to leave behind.

According to the nationwide survey, Canadians overwhelmingly put their pets, financial essentials, and crucial documents at the top of their evacuation list. More than half said they would grab their credit cards (54 percent), pets (51 percent), and vital paperwork (51 percent) before anything else.

• Credit cards – 54 percent
•  Pets – 51 percent
• Important documents – 51percent
• Medications – 45 percent
• Pre-packed emergency bag – 33 percent
• Food – 20 percent
• First aid kit – 16 percent
• Family heirlooms – 11 percent
• Electronics – 10 percent
• Clothing, footwear, and jewelry – 9 percent

The findings echo the dramatic images seen during recent wildfire evacuations in both Canada and the U.S. During the Palisades Fire in California and the devastating blazes in Jasper, Alberta, many residents fled with little more than their pets in tow—often leaving behind valuables to ensure their animals were safe.

“In both the Palisades and Jasper fires, the emotional bond with pets and the determination to protect loved ones was a central theme, with many risking their safety to ensure animals were safely evacuated,” said Jim Mandeville, SVP, Large Loss North America, First Onsite. “These moments highlight the urgent need for emergency planning and the instinct to safeguard what truly matters.”

This research represents the second installment of First Onsite’s Weather and Property Survey, an ongoing study of how Canadians are preparing for increasingly volatile weather events. The initial phase, released in March, revealed widespread concern about the growing impact of climate change, weather-related property damage, and rising insurance costs.

As climate-related emergencies become more common, the message from Canadians is clear: in the face of crisis, what matters most isn’t stuff—it’s safety, security, and the ones we love.