N@N

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 8, 2010) - Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX:FFH)(TSX:FFH.U) congratulates David Johnston, who has served as a Director of Fairfax since 2007, on his appointment as the Governor General of Canada effective October 1, 2010. That appointment will require David to step down from his other positions, including as a director of Fairfax.

Prem Watsa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax, commented, "David has been an outstanding director and we will miss his integrity, wisdom and insight. He is a great Canadian and a wonderful human being, and he will be a superb representative of Canada."

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