The NWT Nominee Program, which has been the subject of political controversy after Ottawa halved the number of applicants the territory can accept, is briefly reopening.
The GNWT had hoped to admit up to 500 people via the nominee program immigration stream this year. Instead, Ottawa dropped the territory’s existing 300-person cap to 150.
Businesses have spent months lobbying for the federal government to reverse that cut. The GNWT says it’s continuing to advocate for the cap to be increased.
In the meantime, the territory said on Thursday that 21 nomination spaces are still available out of the 150 Ottawa has allowed in 2025.
Those 21 are being made available after a first round of applications was thoroughly scrutinized following the first window to apply, from February 27 to March 6.
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Ten entry-level/semi-skilled applicants, 10 skilled worker/express entry applicants and one francophone applicant can still be accepted.
The new application window is from 9am on July 2, 2025 until 5pm on July 9. There are various criteria that employers and applicants must meet to qualify – including some changes to earlier criteria – and those are published on the GNWT’s website.
The updated criteria include work permit eligibility being extended to March 31, 2026. Applications will be assessed in order of work permit expiry date.
Minister pleads with Ottawa to change approach
On Thursday, Caitlin Cleveland – the NWT’s minister responsible for immigration – again called on Ottawa to restore the old 300-applicant cap.
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“The Northwest Territories needs its full nominee program allocation restored and we need a more flexible, northern-focused approach moving forward,” the minister stated in a news release.
“We’ve had to turn away qualified workers and families. Employers are struggling to fill essential jobs. And newcomers who came here with hope are being told there’s no path forward – not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because the system no longer makes room for them.
“These cuts were made to reduce the percentage of temporary residents in Canada, but they fail to reflect the unique labour market needs of smaller, northern jurisdictions like the NWT.”
Cleveland said the NWT is now “losing people we need” as a result of the federal shift in immigration policy. Her statement suggested there has so far been no concrete progress in persuading Ottawa to change course.
“I’ve urged the Government of Canada to restore our allocation immediately,” she wrote.
“Other jurisdictions have successfully negotiated increased allocations. We are seeking the same opportunity, with the flexibility to address the realities of life in the North.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister and Minister Metlege Diab for their openness during cabinet’s recent meetings. There is a real opportunity here to rebuild trust, create a more responsive system, and demonstrate that the federal government understands what the North needs to grow and thrive.”
