Fairfax Completes C$431,000,000 Bought Deal Financing

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED
STATES.


Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax" or the "Company")
(TSX:FFH)(TSX:FFH.U) has completed its previously announced public offering of
1,000,000 subordinate voting shares at a price of C$431.00 per share, for gross
proceeds of C$431 million. Net proceeds of the issue, after commissions and
expenses, are approximately C$417.1 million. 


The subordinate voting shares were sold through a syndicate of underwriters
co-led by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and CIBC World Markets Inc. that also included
Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., TD Securities Inc., and Cormark
Securities Inc. 


Fairfax intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to augment its cash
position at the holding company and for general corporate purposes. 


The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This
press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction
in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction.


About Fairfax 

Fairfax is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries,
is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment
management.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited
John Varnell
Vice President, Corporate Development
[phone]