Business Community Call for Immediate Action on Immigration Allocations

Yellowknife, NT – February 3, 2025 – The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Chamber of Commerce, and CDETNO are calling on the Territorial and Federal Governments to urgently increase immigration allocations to address the territory’s growing workforce crisis.

The Northwest Territories is facing an urgent workforce crisis, and we need immediate action to increase immigration allocations. Without a rapid and substantial increase in nominee spots, businesses will close, essential services will be cut, and economic growth will stall

"The current immigration cap is crippling businesses’ ability to retain workers," said Matthew Haliday, Executive Director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. "Employers are under immense pressure, knowing they may lose key staff due to the lack of nomination spots. Some businesses are now facing the harsh reality that they may have to close if they can’t keep their existing workforce."

Business leaders are urging Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland and Member of Parliament Michael McLeod to take two urgent steps:

1. Secure Increased Allocations Immediately – The Governments must secure a significantly higher number of nomination spots through all available federal pathways. With only 150 spots, our businesses are being suppressed by a allocation limit that does not reflect our workforce needs.
2. Develop a Targeted Northern Immigration Strategy – The Northwest Territories requires a dedicated immigration pathway tailored to our unique economic, demographic, and geographic challenges.  Bringing together key stakeholders - including local, regional, territorial and federal economic partners - to create a comprehensive Northern Immigration Plan without delay.

We stand ready to support the government in securing the necessary immediate allocations and in creating a long-term immigration strategy. They are calling on Territorial and Federal governments to take immediate action before the territory’s labor crisis worsens.