Saskatchewan has experienced a dramatic 98 per cent surge in refugee claims over the past year, driven largely by sweeping federal and provincial immigration reductions that have left many temporary residents with few options for staying in Canada.

Between April 2024 and April 2025, asylum claims in the province jumped from 683 to 1,344, according to Statistics Canada.

At the same time, Saskatchewan recorded the steepest drop in permanent residents among Canadian provinces — a 53 per cent decline. Immigration experts say many newcomers are turning to refugee claims as a last resort after policy changes eliminated traditional pathways to permanent residency, creating uncertainty for thousands already working and living in the province.

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