Northwest Territories Nominee Program reopening delayed

The Northwest Territories government has announced that it will postpone the planned reopening of its Nominee Program (NTNP) set for January 16, 2025. Originally, the program was scheduled to accept 100 applications for territorial nomination, a key step for foreign nationals aiming for Canadian permanent residence. However, this will no longer proceed as expected.

The government clarified that while the program's reopening is delayed, the NTNP is still a priority, and officials are working to finalize a new date. The territory assured that it will inform the public of the revised reopening timeline as soon as possible.

The decision to delay the program's reopening stems from a recent reduction in the number of permanent residency nominations allocated by the federal government. Previously, the NTNP received an allocation of 300 nominations for 2024. However, on January 15, the territorial government was informed that the number of nominations for 2025 would be slashed to just 150, a significant cut that has led to the postponement of the program.

This reduction in the NTNP’s allocation aligns with a broader change in federal immigration policy. The Canadian government has decided to cut the number of nominations available for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) by 50%. The PNP, which allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency, will now have a target of just 55,000 nominations for 2025, down from 110,000 in 2024.

Interestingly, the federal government reduced PNP allocations more significantly than the overall immigration targets, which were only reduced by 20%. As a result, fewer immigrants will be nominated under this program, causing some uncertainty for individuals and communities relying on it.

On the other hand, the federal government has increased the number of permanent residents it plans to admit through its economic immigration programs, particularly those managed through Express Entry. For 2025, the target for Express Entry admissions will rise to 124,680, up from 110,770 in 2024. This shift in priorities means that more people may be selected through federal programs focusing on economic skills, with a special emphasis on French-speaking immigrants and those with expertise in healthcare and skilled trades.

The Northwest Territories government’s postponement of the NTNP reopening will allow officials time to reassess the program and plan accordingly for the future. Applicants hoping to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the NTNP will need to wait for further updates from the territorial government.
In summary, the delay in the NTNP’s reopening is due to a reduction in the number of permanent residency nominations allocated by the federal government. While the program remains a key part of the territory’s immigration strategy, it is now on hold until officials can determine a revised plan for the upcoming year.