Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today on federal immigration policy and the urgent need to restore the Northwest Territories’ nominee allocations:

“Earlier this month in Ottawa, I raised a clear and urgent concern with the federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship: the Northwest Territories needs its full nominee program allocation restored—and we need a more flexible, Northern-focused approach moving forward.

Since the previous federal government cut our allocation in half in January 2025, we’ve had to turn away qualified workers and families. Employers are struggling to fill essential jobs. And newcomers who came here with hope are being told there’s no path forward—not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because the system no longer makes room for them. These cuts were made to reduce the percentage of Temporary Residents in Canada, but they fail to reflect the unique labour market needs of smaller, northern jurisdictions like the NWT.

The Nominee Program is one of the few tools we have to attract and retain working-age people in the midst of a national labour shortage. It supports small businesses, fuels economic growth, promotes diversity, and helps our communities thrive. Without it, we are losing people we need—not just to strengthen our economy, but to build inclusive, resilient communities where everyone can contribute and feel at home.

I’ve urged the Government of Canada to restore our allocation immediately. This would allow the GNWT to meet urgent labour needs while providing clarity as we engage Northern and Indigenous partners later this summer to inform a redesigned Nominee Program for 2026 and beyond—one that reflects our on-the-ground realities. Other jurisdictions have successfully negotiated increased allocations. We are seeking the same opportunity, with the flexibility to address the realities of life in the North.

Across the territory, the call for change is growing—from MLAs in the Legislative Assembly to the Yellowknife and NWT Chambers of Commerce, the NWT & NU Construction Association, and the many employers and families directly impacted by these reductions. Immigration is not just a workforce issue in the North—it’s a population issue. It’s about economic strength, social cohesion, and sovereignty. Nation-building projects require workers. Sovereignty requires presence. Growth requires people.

At the same time, we must ensure that the people we bring to the North feel safe, welcomed, and respected. This week, at the inaugural gathering of the South Asian Cultural Association of Yellowknife, its president, Silal Shafqat, issued a powerful message following a racist online incident:

“We call on all Yellowknifers to speak out against racism and to stand for a Yellowknife that is welcoming, respectful and safe for everyone.”

That message resonates deeply—and it’s one we must all heed. A strong, inclusive North doesn’t happen by accident. It is built, day by day, through our actions and through the policies we fight for. Immigration is part of that. So is our collective commitment to inclusion and belonging.

I want to thank the Prime Minister and Minister Metlege Diab for their openness during Cabinet’s recent meetings. There is a real opportunity here to rebuild trust, create a more responsive system, and demonstrate that the federal government understands what the North needs to grow and thrive.

The NWT needs a program that responds to our unique labour market needs—and we’re asking Ottawa to work with us to make that happen.”

Hon. Caitlin Cleveland
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

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