PNP
Northwest Territories Increases Nominee Program Spaces for 2025
The Northwest Territories has announced an important development in its immigration strategy for 2025. Following strong advocacy efforts, the federal government has granted the territory an additional 47 spaces under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This boost brings the total allocation for the year to 197 nominees, creating more opportunities for foreign workers and their families to make the North their permanent home.
Why the Increase Matters
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Caitlin Cleveland, confirmed the news, highlighting that while the new allocation does not fully restore previous levels, it marks critical progress in addressing the territory’s workforce shortages and population needs.
The NTNP is a cornerstone of the territory’s workforce development strategy. In Northern communities, immigration is more than an economic driver; it supports population growth, strengthens sovereignty, and ensures that industries such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality have access to skilled workers.
Advocacy and Results
This increase follows concentrated advocacy by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), including Minister Cleveland’s recent meetings with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in Ottawa. Community leaders, businesses, and local organizations all contributed to amplifying the call for a nominee program that reflects Northern realities.
In 2024, the GNWT reached its full allocation for the NTNP for the first time, showing just how strong demand has become across the program’s Employer-Driven and Francophone streams. The new 2025 spaces will be offered to eligible candidates from the second intake of applications who were not previously selected.
Allocation Process
The additional spaces will not reopen the program for new applications in 2025. Instead, they will be assigned to eligible candidates who:
- Submitted applications during the second 2025 intake.
- We were not originally selected due to space limitations.
- Hold valid work permits, with assessment priority given to those nearing expiry.
Successful applicants will be notified directly by email and placed in the NTNP assessment queue in order of priority.
The NTNP at a Glance
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program is divided into three streams:
| Stream | Key Purpose |
| Employer-Driven | Supports employers in hiring skilled foreign workers for hard-to-fill jobs. |
| Francophone | Attracts French-speaking professionals to strengthen bilingual communities. |
| Business | Designed for entrepreneurs looking to start, buy, or invest in NWT ventures. |
Nominee allocations are set annually by IRCC for all provinces and territories.
Minister Cleveland emphasized that the government will continue pressing for allocations that better reflect the territory’s long-term needs. She stated:
“Immigration is one of the most effective tools to strengthen the NWT economy, diversify industries, and advance nation-building in the North. These additional 47 spaces will help fill critical labour shortages in key sectors, but we are not stopping here.” The increase in Northwest Territories Nominee Program spaces for 2025 highlights Canada’s recognition of the North’s unique labor and population challenges.
While the additional 47 spaces do not fully restore previous allocations, they offer meaningful opportunities for skilled workers who want to build their futures in the North. Immigration remains central to the territory’s growth, resilience, and long-term prosperity.
