Minister Caitlin Cleveland, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, just announced that the GNWT has received an update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that their full 2025 nominee allocation has been restored. This brings their total nominations back to 300 nominations, a full return to pre-2025 levels.
“The restoration of our full allocation means that employers will once again have access to the skilled workers they need to keep their businesses running and expand. It means that newcomers who have chosen to live and work in our communities will have a clearer path to stay and build their lives here. And it means that our small and remote communities will have better opportunities to grow their populations and economies sustainably,” said Minister Cleveland.
Minister Cleveland says this is an important milestone for the N.W.T. and an example of “constructive advocacy.” The Minister noted that the previous federal government had cut the allocation to half earlier this year, but the territorial advocated based on the North’s need for a nominee program that reflects the “unique realities” of the North and a need to support small businesses.
The minister said that the inclusion of more people as immigrants into the territory is more than a workforce strategy.
“Immigration is not just a workforce strategy; it is a cornerstone of nation-building. When done right, it complements local employment efforts and strengthens Northern businesses by filling gaps that cannot be met through the current labour market. It enriches our communities, supports small and growing enterprises, and reinforces Canada’s presence and sovereignty in the Arctic.”
The minister added that more information will be shared as soon as program details are finalized.
The nominee program was created to allow migrants without Canadian citizenship who intend to live and work in the NWT to become permanent residents.
Earlier this year, the allocation was reduced by half, going from 300 to 150, and later partially increased to 197.
