Up to 36,700 job positions will open up over the next 15 years in the Northwest Territories (NWT), and the NWT government is looking internationally to make sure that the territory continues to build a vibrant economy.
According to the government's Northwest Territories Immigration Strategy 2017-2022: Building a Skilled Workforce and a Vibrant Economy, 78 percent of these positions will typically require some form of post-secondary education and/or extensive work experience and seniority.
The goals of the strategic include attracting skilled foreign nationals, attracting new entrepreneurs, consolidating administrative processes, and supporting foreign nationals in their integration and settlement in the Northwest Territories.
As such, the NWT government has drawn up an action plan that defines five clear goals:
“The Strategy will serve as a blueprint for a territorial approach to optimizing immigration programs in the NWT over the next five years. Beyond the economic benefits, welcoming new people to our territory contributes to the vibrant, diverse cultural landscape that makes the North a unique place to live," stated Alfred Moses, NWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
The ECE Minister's words were echoed by his ITI counterpart, Wally Schumann, who added that “Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone of our local and regional economies. Attracting individuals from other countries to settle and invest in our territory will grow and enrich our population and foster and encourage greater economic diversity. It will require a coordinated and supportive approach to immigration.”
Last year, 79 foreign nationals were nominated through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), one of Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs. These nominees brought with them 46 dependents, resulting in 125 individuals coming to the NWT. The NTNP has succeeded in increasing the number of nominations in each of the last four years.
The NTNP is segmented into two streams. The Employer stream includes the following categories:
The Business stream is designed to attract entrepreneurs with business expertise and investment capital to settle in the NWT and enhance the economic environment of the NWT by purchasing, starting or investing in a local business.
In addition to the nominee program, the NWT may also welcome newcomers through federal programs.