Refugee claims jump 98% in Sask. as immigration cuts leave newcomers in limbo

Refugee claims in Saskatchewan have surged by almost 98 per cent following major federal and provincial immigration cuts, while the number of permanent residents dropped by more than half, federal statistics show.

The number of refugee claims filed in the province climbed from 683 between April and June 2024 to 1,344 a year later, according to data from Statistics Canada.

"I have a consult coming up with someone that's looking at a refugee claim with no option to continue studying," said Saskatoon immigration lawyer Chris Veeman.

"This is a person that's been a student, so they don't have work experience, but it's kind of the only option now for her."

Nationally, total asylum claims increased by 32 per cent between the second quarter of 2024 and the same period in 2025 — going from 363,505 claims to 479,542, according to the Statistics Canada data.

In Manitoba, asylum claims increased by 87 per cent. In Alberta they increased by 57 per cent, and B.C. saw an increase of 53 per cent, the data shows.

Veeman said many immigrants are choosing to claim asylum because they are running out of other options to stay in Canada permanently, since Ottawa made significant changes to reduce immigration targets. 

"If someone files a claim today, they probably won’t get a hearing for about a year and a half," he said. "That will buy you a year and a half of working in Canada, and maybe you're sending money back to your family to keep them alive."

Veeman said people across Canada are running out of options. 

"The bigger problem is that we have all these non-PRs [permanent residents], like students and people on work permits that don't necessarily have a pathway, but there's, like, three million people and only 380,000 PR spots per year," he said.

"Some will leave. Some don't want to go. Some will make refugee claims and others, maybe they will get married to a Canadian."

Saskatchewan has recorded the sharpest percentage decline in new permanent residents among the provinces, tying with Prince Edward Island, according to Statistics Canada's data.

Between April and June 2025, the province had 3,467 new permanent residents, down from 7,414 from the same time last year — a 53 per cent drop.

Nationally, arrivals fell by 23 per cent, from 134,172 to 103,507.