August 2026
Advocacy Priority: Workforce Development
Strengthening Our Northern Workforce
On July 8, the Yellowknife Chamber and northern business leaders met with the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories.
We shared real employer experiences and connected northern workforce capacity to Canada's upcoming investments in Arctic security, infrastructure and economic development.
From Left: Matt Halliday, ED, YK Chamber; Donna Lee Demarcke, CEO, NWT Tourism; & YK Chamber Director; Rebecca Alty, MP for the NWT; Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Mark Henry, Co-Owner Copperhouse Eatery + Lounge & YK Chamber President; Rebecca Connelly, Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer, Det'on Cho Management LP & YK Chamber Vice-President; Darcy Southam, Dealer, Canadian Tire; Nicholas Carn, GM, The Explorer Hotel & YK Chamber Director.
We called for stronger federal–northern workforce planning, immediate flexibility for northern employers facing labour shortages, and a path for Yellowknife to access a community-based immigration program.
IMMIGRATION IS ONE TOOL WITHIN A BROADER NORTHERN WORKFORCE STRATEGY THAT MUST ALSO INCLUDE LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND RECRUITMENT FROM ACROSS CANADA.
Advocacy In Action
In April, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce called on the GNWT to opt into new federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program measures for rural employers. With a persistently tight labour market, we advocated for NWT businesses to have access to this targeted, short-term workforce relief to help employers address immediate labour shortages.
Eligible employers in participating rural areas can access a 15% low-wage TFW cap instead of the current 10% cap.
For LMIA applications submitted on or after June 16, 2026, until March 31, 2027.
For more information on how the measures apply, please consult the Federal government's Temporary measures to support rural employers webpage.
What's Next: Following our August meeting with the Minister's Senior Advisor, the Chamber is continuing discussions with GNWT - Education, Culture and Employment, City of Yellowknife and Yellowknife Immigration Partnership Committee on longer-term Northern workforce and community immigration pathways.
Advocacy Priorities: Arctic Economic & Security Corridor & Airport Revitalization
STRENGTHENING NORTHERN CAPACITY: Yellowknife - Hay River Trade Mission
As federal investment in the North grows, we need to continue demonstrating to the federal government the importance of ensuring these investments create lasting economic benefits for northern businesses, workers and communities. The Trade Mission helped show that NWT communities and businesses are prepared to work together, build capacity and position the North to capture these opportunities.
Our Trade Mission to Hay River on July 10 brought together more than 150 participants representing over 60 businesses to strengthen regional relationships, better understand the capacity that exists across the NWT, and prepare for major economic opportunities ahead. The mission helped show that NWT communities and businesses are prepared to work together, build capacity and position the North to capture these opportunities.
Looking Ahead: As defence, infrastructure, housing, resource development and Arctic sovereignty investments move forward, stronger relationships between NWT businesses and communities will be critical to building local capacity, strengthening northern supply chains and ensuring northern companies are positioned to participate.
THE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD ARE BIGGER THAN ANY ONE COMMUNITY.
Advocacy Priorities: Arctic Economic & Security Corridor & Airport Revitalization
BRINGINGING NORTHERN PROCUREMENT PRIORITIES TO OTTAWA
On July 20, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce met with Dan Mazier, Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement. To discuss northern businesses' experiences with federal procurement and the significant opportunities expected as federal investments in the North increases.
Our Focus:
Successful northern procurement examples matter. We will work with our members and local organizations to identify real-world approaches that have worked and bring those experiences directly to federal decision-makers to help inform better procurement practices and ensure northern businesses can meaningfully participate in the investments coming North.
From Left: Donna Lee Demarcke, CEO, NWT Tourism; & YK Chamber Director; Dan Mazier, Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Works & Procurement; Mark Henry, Co-Owner Copperhouse Eatery + Lounge & YK Chamber President; Matt Halliday, ED, YK Chamber.
ADVOCACY DOESN'T END WITH A MEETING
What's Next:
Workforce: Continue federal, territorial and local engagement to advance a coordinated workforce strategy that prepares the North for future economic growth and major investment.
Procurement: Work with members and local organizations to identify successful northern procurement examples and bring those experiences forward as federal investment increases.
Major Projects: Continue advocating for Yellowknife and NWT businesses and communities to benefit from major defence, infrastructure and economic development investments.
Your Voice At The Table
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce works to ensure the perspectives and experiences of our business community are heard by municipal, territorial and federal decision-makers.
We continue to follow the issues, build partnerships, advance practical solutions and keep our members informed on progress.
HAVE AN ISSUE AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS?
We want to hear from you.Your experiences help shape our advocacy and the priorities we bring forward to decision-makers.
About the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Yellowknife, representing a diverse network of local businesses across all industries. We are dedicated to fostering a strong, vibrant, and prosperous business community by advocating for policies that support economic growth, providing resources and insights to help businesses thrive, and creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. Through our advocacy efforts, strategic partnerships, and member-focused initiatives, we work to ensure that Yellowknife’s businesses have the tools, influence, and support they need to succeed.
Media Contact
Matt Halliday
Executive Director
867-920-4944
exutivedirector@ykchamber.com