Ottawa, August 5, 2009 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today announced the signing of an agreement to help attract new immigrants to the Northwest Territories. Minister Kenney made the announcement with his territorial colleagues, Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty and Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Bob McLeod.
“I am very pleased to announce the very first nominee agreement with the Northwest Territories today,” Minister Kenney said. “This pilot initiative will better extend and strengthen the benefits of immigration for the Northwest Territories and allow it to bring in the immigrants it needs faster. Provincial nominee programs are an important part of our government’s focus on ensuring that our immigration system aligns with labour market needs.”
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories through an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The program will help strengthen the Territories’ economy by attracting qualified individuals to fill critical labour shortages and promote business development.
“This program will allow us to encourage the migration of skilled workers to the Northwest Territories,” Minister Lafferty said. “Foreign workers can assist us in building a strong, balanced and diversified economy that will benefit all Northerners.”
Individuals nominated by the territorial government are eligible to have their application processed on a priority basis for permanent residency through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Final authority rests solely with CIC to issue permanent residency.
Applicants can be nominated for permanent residency under one of four program categories:
- Skilled Worker
- Critical Impact Worker (Service and Hospitality Sector Occupations)
- Entrepreneur Business
- Self-Employed Business
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is responsible for the Entrepreneur and Self-Employed Business categories of the program. “Entrepreneurship is important in developing the Northwest Territories’ economy. This program is a new way of bringing entrepreneurs into the Territory,” Minister McLeod said. “We will all benefit from the arrival of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
Beginning today, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will be delivering the
at its service centres. This is a three-year pilot program.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Government of Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca
Lorraine Lavallee
Communications
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Government of Canada
204-984-7190
Kevin Allerston
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-6222
Kevin_Allerston@gov.nt.ca
Dragana Beronja
A/Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-873-7857
Dragana_Beronja@gov.nt.ca
