N.W.T. reassessing nominee program after federal changes

The N.W.T. government has delayed the reopening of its nominee program after being notified last-minute of cutbacks by the federal government.

The program was originally supposed to reopen Thursday. In a news release late Wednesday night, the territory's Department of Education, Culture and Employment stated that it had been informed Wednesday that its nominee allotment for this year would be slashed to half what it was last year — 150, down from 300.

Now, the territorial government says it needs time to "reassess" the program to make sure it meets the needs of N.W.T. residents.

"This reduction changes the landscape of the existing [nominee] program," it wrote.

The nominee program helps skilled immigrants move to the N.W.T. to work for local employers and gives them a path to become permanent residents. In September, the territorial government announced the program had exceeded its nomination cap of 300 applications for the first time ever.

At that time, it said it would be asking the Canadian government to increase its nomination cap of 300.

On Wednesday, the territorial government said it knows the program's delay would create uncertainty for people who had planned to apply.

It said it is committed to reopening the program in the future.

On Wednesday, before the territory announced the delay, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce issued a news release calling the program a "vital tool" to fill the N.W.T.'s shortage of workers and support businesses.

It called for the program to prioritize applications from people whose work permits would imminently expire.

"The [program] has proven to be an essential pathway for securing workers and strengthening the Northwest Territories economy," stated Matthew Halliday, the chamber's executive director, in the release.

"By prioritizing time-sensitive applications, we can provide businesses with the stability they need, support workers, and ensure the continued success of this critical program."