N.W.T. nominee program reopening day brings uncertainty for many

The N.W.T. opened up its nominee program to applications for a one-week period starting on Thursday, but new changes from federal cuts are worrying both employers and employees alike.

The program, which was supposed to reopen last month, is now open until March 6. 

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program attracts foreign nationals looking to immigrate to Canada, those already here with expiring work permits and individuals seeking permanent residency. 

The federal government reduced the number of people the N.W.T. could accept, forcing the territory to delay the reopening. Last year, the program had 300 positions open. Now, there are 150. 

Of those 150 spots, the territorial government has said 60 will be filled by applications from 2024, which means for new applicants in 2025, there's 90 openings left. Applications will also be selected at random, instead of on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arun Singh, the immigration director at the Yellowknife-based firm ECEN Immigration Services, says the change has caused stress for many individuals.

"Everyone seems very tense. They don't have any hope of how they're going to maintain their status or how they will even get the work permit. I've heard a lot of people saying they might just leave, go back if it happens," said Singh.

Limited applications for businesses 

One of the changes the federal cuts have caused is that the territory now requires applicants to have worked in the same job for their employer for at least one year. Singh said employees who may be just under the one-year requirement, and employers with many staff, are in a tough spot. 

Employers with up to 10 N.W.T employees can submit one application to the nominee program this year, while those with up to 49 can submit two applications, and those with more than 50 can submit four applications. 

Pre-screened then randomly selected, 90 applications will be assessed in order of the expiry date of a person's work permit. 

Said Salhi, who moved to Yellowknife in 2019 from Saudi Arabia, is one of the people who won't be applying this year because of the limited intake numbers. 

Salhi said he has been trying to obtain permanent residency through the nominee program since 2021. During that time, he's been putting together all the required documents, certificates and English tests.

"Here, the life is better, especially when you're with your family," said Salhi.

When he heard the news of the program changes he was confused about what to do. 

"I was ready to apply this week … but I don't think I have a chance to apply this year because under my company there are nine people there waiting," said Salhi. 

He added that some of his coworkers' work permits expire this year but his expires in 2026, so their applications will probably be put forward before his.

The territory has said of the 90 open spots this year, 70 applications will be accepted from Yellowknife employers, 10 from employers in other communities, and 10 Francophone applications.

IDs and licences may end up in limbo, says MLA

Great Slave MLA Kate Reid said at the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that she was worried about people impacted by the new limitations to the nominee program and newcomers with expiring work visas.

She said people waiting for visa renewals from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) while waiting for the nominee program or other federal streams can be left in a gray area.

"I am worried that more people will find themselves in limbo waiting on work visa renewals and paperwork headaches that are associated with territorial services," said Reid.

The limbo state, referred to as maintained status, happens when a person's file is being processed. Reid added that with position cuts at IRCC, visa renewal times are likely to increase.

"Meanwhile, the N.W.T. cancels your driver's licence and health-care card, adding to more frustration," she said. 

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caitlin Cleveland said foreign nationals on maintained status are eligible to extend their health-care coverage and drivers licences with valid proof that they are on maintained status. 

She said they should contact the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the Department of Infrastructure to confirm the process and what documents will be required of them to do so. 

Cleveland said having further conversations with the federal government around immigration is top of mind. She said she has written letters and placed phone calls at the political level, while her department is doing the same on an "official" level.