The number of spots available for the Northwest Territories’ Nominee Program has been reinstated to 300, the NWT government announced Friday.
The program helps foreign workers to apply for permanent residency in Canada and helps NWT employers fill vacancies if they can demonstrate there were no qualified local workers.
After the program’s previous 300 spaces were filled by the early summer of 2024, the territory had pushed for that cap to be increased to 500.
Instead, the federal government cut the number of spaces to 150 spaces for the NWT in 2025, which the territory said it filled.
Ottawa initially allocated 197 spots to the NWT Nominee Program for 2026.
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In a Friday press release, the NWT government said the return to a cap of 300 spots this year reflects its advocacy efforts to “ensure the territory’s immigration priorities and unique labour market needs are reflected in its allocation numbers.”
Earlier this year, the territory introduced a new points-based system to assess and rank candidates for the nominee program.
The GNWT said given the additional program spots now available for 2026, it plans to hold an additional expression of interest draw on August 26, for applications submitted by August 24.
The territory will also be holding two virtual information sessions on the program on August 18 at 2pm and on August 20 at 10am. Those interested in attending can send an email [email protected] to register.
Alice Twa contributed reporting.
