NTNP: Provincial nomination allocation returns to 2024 levels

The Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has had its nomination allocation for the Northwest Territories Nominee Programme (NTNP) increased to 300 places for 2025, up from 197 places.

Northwest Territories ECE Minister Caitlin Cleveland is currently working to open the next application period for the NTNP.

The return of the Northwest Territories to its pre-2025 nomination allocation level was announced in a media statement on 17 October 2025.

Further details, including information on the next NTNP application period and how these additional nominations will be allocated, will be announced when the programme details are finalised.

“Restoring our full allocation means that employers will once again have access to the skilled labour they need to maintain business operations and expand,” said ECE Minister Cleveland.

Detailed article on the Northwest Territories Nominee Programme (NTNP)

The ongoing support of the NTNP for increased nominations

In 2025, the federal government cut nomination allocations for Canada’s PNPs by 50% as part of a plan to reduce immigration levels to ease pressure on Canada’s housing and social services.

Throughout 2025, the PNPs responded by lobbying the government for additional nominations.

On 2 September, the federal government granted the Northwest Territories an additional 47 nominations for the NTNP, bringing the total 2025 allocation to 197, up from 150.

According to the territory, these 47 nominations are for eligible NTNP applicants from the 2025 intake periods who were not previously selected.

The Northwest Territories has continued to advocate for higher numbers, citing the need to address “critical labour shortages in key sectors.”

As of this latest announcement, the territory has now restored its full nomination allocation to 2024 levels.

The NTNP is the only PNP to have seen its nomination allocation restored to previous levels, as of the time of writing.

About the Northwest Territories Nominee Programme (NTNP)

The NTNP has three immigration streams:

• Employer-Driven Stream:
  • Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Category
  • Skilled Worker category
  • Northwest Territories Express Entry Category
• Francophone Stream
• Business Stream

To be considered under the Employer Driven Stream and the Francophone Stream, foreign nationals must have a valid job offer from an employer in the territory.

The Employer Driven Stream requires the employer to submit an application on behalf of the foreign national seeking nomination.

Under the Francophone Stream and the Business Stream, foreign nationals may apply on their own behalf.

Each stream has unique requirements that must be met to be considered; in some cases, the employer must also meet certain stream requirements.

In 2025, the territory held two intake periods as of the time of writing:

• From 27 February to 6 March 2025
• From 2 July to 9 July 2025.

The upcoming intake period mentioned by ECE Minister Cleveland will be announced soon.