The NWT government dramatically scrapped the reopening of its key immigration program after being informed of a new, tougher federal cap just hours before it was due to resume.
The nominee program, which allows foreign nationals to take up jobs with NWT employers, had been due to accept 100 new applicants on a first-come, first-served basis from 9am on Thursday.
But the territorial government called off the program’s restart at 9:15pm on Wednesday, saying it had only just learned that its federal cap for the year will be just 150 applicants, down from 300 last year.
The program will reopen at some point, but when that will be is no longer at all clear.
Demand for the program is so high that the NWT hit its 300-person 2024 cap in July, forcing it to pause the program for the rest of the year. The GNWT had asked for the cap to go up to 500 – instead, under broader political pressure over immigration, the federal government cut it in half.
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“The Government of the Northwest Territories will not be reopening the Northwest Territories Nominee Program on January 16, 2025 at 9am MST as previously indicated,” read a statement issued on Wednesday evening.
“Unaware of the territory’s 2025 allotment prior to today, the GNWT announced earlier this week that it would start accepting 100 new applications in January 2025 with the potential to add additional intake periods later in the year.
“This reduction changes the landscape of the existing NTNP program. As a result, additional time is needed to re-assess the program to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of NWT residents.”
A further delay could spell chaos for foreign nationals whose work permits are due to expire and for businesses who rely on foreign workers to fill vacancies.
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Immigration from abroad has been vital to sustaining the NWT’s population in recent years. Without it, the territory’s population would have declined by hundreds of people, and employers say many jobs would be left vacant.
“The Government of the Northwest Territories acknowledges the various organizations who continue to advocate for successful immigration to the Northwest Territories, and looks forward to further engagement,” the territory stated.
“The GNWT recognizes that this announcement will inconvenience and generate uncertainty for potential applicants, but remains committed to re-opening the NTNP program and will communicate a new re-opening date as soon as possible.”
