N.W.T. Minister to Discuss Nominee Program Changes with Federal Government

Key Takeaways

• IRCC cut N.W.T. Nominee allocation from 300 to 150 spots for 2025 without warning.
• New rules impose random selection, employer quotas, and stricter eligibility with expiring 2025 work permits.
• Minister Cleveland travels to Ottawa to request allocation restoration and flexible rules, addressing worker anxiety.

Minister Caitlin Cleveland of the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) will travel to Ottawa next week to meet with the federal government about urgent changes to the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This trip comes after months of concern from workers, employers, and local lawmakers about sudden cuts to the program and new, stricter rules for 2025. The NTNP, which helps skilled workers and their families settle in the N.W.T., is now facing its toughest year yet.

What’s Happening and Why It Matters

In January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cut the N.W.T.’s nominee allocation by half, dropping it from 300 spots in 2024 to just 150 for 2025. This decision was made without warning to the territorial government. The change has left many people in the N.W.T. worried about their future, especially those hoping to become permanent residents through the Nominee Program.

Minister Cleveland, who is responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, is leading the push to get the federal government to restore the previous allocation and make the rules less strict. She has said that the new guidelines have created anxiety and left gaps in the system, making it harder for both workers and employers.

Key Changes to the Nominee Program in 2025

The NTNP has seen several major changes this year:

• Nominee Allocation Cut: Only 150 spots are available in 2025, down from 300 in 2024. Of these, 60 are already taken by applications carried over from last year, leaving just 90 new spots for 2025.
• Random Selection: Instead of first-come, first-served, applications are now chosen at random. This means applicants cannot be sure when or if their application will be picked.
• Employer Quotas: Employers can only submit a limited number of applications, based on the size of their business:
  • 1–10 employees: 1 application
  • 11–49 employees: 2 applications
  • 50+ employees: 4 applications
• Tighter Eligibility: Only those with a work permit expiring in 2025 and who have worked full-time for their N.W.T. employer for at least 12 months (for entry-level or semi-skilled jobs) or 18 months (for skilled jobs and Express Entry) can apply.
• Queue System: If an application is not selected, it stays in the queue until December 12, 2025, and may be considered if a spot opens up.

How the Application Process Works in 2025

Applying to the NTNP this year is more competitive and uncertain than ever before. Here’s a step-by-step look at the process:

1. Check Eligibility: Applicants must have a job offer from an N.W.T. employer or plan to start or invest in a business in the territory.
2. Employer Quota: The employer must check how many applications they are allowed to submit, based on their number of employees.
3. Prepare Documents: Applicants need to gather proof of work experience, a job offer, and language test results.
4. Apply Online: Applications were accepted only between February 27 and March 6, 2025.
5. Pre-Screening: All applications are checked for completeness.
6. Random Selection: 90 new applications are randomly chosen for assessment. Others remain in the queue.
7. Assessment: Selected applications are reviewed, with priority given to those whose work permits expire soonest.
8. Notification: Applicants and employers are told by email if their application is selected.
9. Queue Management: Unselected applications may be considered later if spaces open due to withdrawals or denials.

For more details on the application process, visit the official NTNP website.

Who Is Affected by the Changes?

The new rules have a wide impact on many groups:

Workers and Their Families

Many workers who have lived and worked in the N.W.T. for years now face an uncertain future. Only those with work permits expiring in 2025 can apply, leaving out people whose permits expire later or who have received extensions. This has created a sense of panic for some, as they may have to leave the territory if they cannot secure permanent residency.

There is also a major concern about fairness. For example, people on maternity leave are not eligible to apply, which has raised questions about discrimination against expecting parents. Kieron Testart, MLA for Range Lake, has spoken out about this, saying the rules unfairly penalize those starting families.

Employers

Businesses in the N.W.T. are struggling to keep key staff. The strict limits on how many applications each employer can submit mean that some companies must choose which employees to nominate, leaving others in limbo. This is especially hard for businesses with several long-term foreign workers, as they cannot support all of them through the program.

Arun Singh, Director of ECEN Immigration Services, says that both employers and workers are under great stress. Some workers are even thinking about leaving the territory because they see no clear path to stay.

Government and Lawmakers

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is actively working to get the federal government to restore the previous allocation of 300 spots and to make the rules more flexible. Minister Cleveland will be in Ottawa next week to press these points. Kate Reid, MLA for Great Slave, has also called for direct talks with the federal government and more flexible work permit extensions.

Why Did the Federal Government Make These Changes?

The IRCC has not given a detailed public explanation for the sudden cut in allocations. However, the federal government often adjusts nominee program numbers based on national immigration targets, economic needs, and regional population trends. In this case, the cut was made without warning to the N.W.T. government, which has led to frustration and calls for better communication.

How Are Applications Selected Now?

One of the biggest changes is the move to a lottery system. In the past, applications were processed in the order they were received. Now, all eligible applications are put into a pool, and 90 are chosen at random. This has made the process less predictable for both workers and employers.

If an application is not selected, it stays in the queue until December 12, 2025. If someone withdraws or is denied, a spot may open up for someone else in the queue.

Employer Application Limits: What Do They Mean?

Employers now face strict limits on how many applications they can submit:

• Small businesses (1–10 employees): 1 application
• Medium businesses (11–49 employees): 2 applications
• Large businesses (50+ employees): 4 applications

This means that even if a business has several eligible workers, it can only support a few of them through the Nominee Program. This has forced some employers to make difficult choices about which employees to nominate.

Eligibility Rules: Who Can Apply?

To apply in 2025, workers must:

• Have a work permit expiring in 2025
• Have worked full-time for their N.W.T. employer in the same job for at least 12 months (entry-level/semi-skilled) or 18 months (skilled/Express Entry)
• Not be on maternity leave or other types of leave

These rules are much stricter than in previous years, making it harder for many people to qualify.

Concerns About Maternity Leave and Equity

One of the most debated issues is the exclusion of workers on maternity leave. Lawmakers and advocates say this is unfair and may violate human rights. The N.W.T. Minister has promised to raise this issue with the federal government, and there is hope that the rules may be changed in the future to allow parents on leave to apply.

What Are the Practical Effects?

The changes have created a severe bottleneck in the system. Many skilled workers who want to stay in the N.W.T. now have no clear path to permanent residency. Employers are struggling to keep staff, and some workers are considering leaving the territory altogether.

The random selection process has also made it harder for people to plan their lives. Workers do not know if or when they will be selected, making it difficult to make decisions about their families, jobs, and futures.

What Are Lawmakers and Experts Saying?

• Minister Caitlin Cleveland: Leading the push for restored allocations and more flexible rules. She has acknowledged the anxiety caused by the new system and is seeking federal cooperation.
• Kate Reid (Great Slave MLA): Wants the allocation restored to 300 and more direct talks with the federal government.
• Kieron Testart (Range Lake MLA): Concerned about the exclusion of workers on maternity leave.
• Arun Singh (ECEN Immigration Services): Reports high stress among both workers and employers, with some considering leaving the N.W.T.

Advice for Applicants and Employers

Because of the tight restrictions, immigration consultants are advising workers and employers to look at other federal immigration programs, such as Express Entry or the Atlantic Immigration Program. These programs may offer alternative pathways to permanent residency, though they have their own requirements and challenges.

Background: The Purpose of the NTNP

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program was created to help the territory attract and keep skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, and entrepreneurs. The goal is to support the local economy and help communities grow. In the past, the program had more spots and broader eligibility, but recent federal cuts have forced the territory to tighten the rules.

How Has the Program Changed Over Time?

• 2024: 300 nominee spots, first-come, first-served application process, broader eligibility.
• 2025: 150 nominee spots, random selection, strict employer quotas, tighter eligibility.

The GNWT has had to adjust the program several times in response to federal changes and local needs.

What’s Next for the NTNP?

Minister Cleveland’s trip to Ottawa is a key moment. She will ask the federal government to:

• Restore the allocation to 300 spots
• Make eligibility rules more flexible, especially for those on maternity leave or with extended work permits
• Improve support for settlement services

MLAs are also calling for a full redesign of the program for 2026 to fix current problems and make the system fairer.

Possible Future Changes

The federal government is reviewing issues like maternity leave eligibility and permit expiry windows. Depending on the outcome of Minister Cleveland’s talks and ongoing feedback from stakeholders, there may be changes to the program in the coming years.

Where to Get More Information

For the latest updates and detailed information about the NTNP, visit the official N.W.T. immigration website. You can also contact the program by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1 (855) 440-5450.

Summary Table: Key 2025 NTNP Changes

Takeaways and Next Steps

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program is facing its most challenging year yet. The sudden cut in allocations and new strict rules have made it much harder for workers and employers to use the program. The N.W.T. Minister is working hard to get the federal government to restore the program to its previous strength and make it fairer for everyone.

If you are affected by these changes, keep checking the official NTNP website for updates. Consider talking to an immigration consultant about other federal programs that might be right for you. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed and exploring all available options is the best way to protect your future in the N.W.T.

For official information and updates, visit the NTNP official website.

Contact for Media and Inquiries:
– Briony Grabke, Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, GNWT, 867-767-9352 Ext. 71073

The coming weeks will be crucial as the N.W.T. Minister meets with the federal government. Stakeholders across the territory are watching closely, hoping for positive changes that will help workers, families, and employers build a strong future in the Northwest Territories.

Learn Today

NTNP → Northwest Territories Nominee Program that helps skilled workers settle permanently in N.W.T.
IRCC → Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, responsible for managing Canada’s immigration programs.
Nominee Allocation → The number of spots allocated for nominations in the NTNP each year.
Random Selection → A lottery-based method of choosing applications instead of processing by order received.
Employer Quotas → Limits on the number of nomination applications an employer can submit based on business size.

This Article in a Nutshell

The N.W.T. Nominee Program faces its toughest year after a sudden federal cut halved allocations and imposed stricter rules, creating uncertainty for workers and employers alike.
— By VisaVerge.com