Foreign Workers Left Reeling After NWT's Shocking Reversal of Nominee Program

The Northern Territory of Canada has thrown temporary foreign workers into turmoil following a sudden reversal of its nominee program, which many hoped would facilitate their path to permanent residency.

Sarmistha Mustafi, a Yellowknife resident originally from India, moved to the city last year in a final bid to secure Canadian permanent residency. Employed by Northview Residential REIT, she was hopeful her employer could nominate her through the Northwest Territories (NWT) Nominee Program—an immigration stream where foreign workers accumulate points critical for gaining residency. A spot in this program can yield a maximum of 600 points, significantly enhancing a candidate's profile, as the total score for residency eligibility reaches 1,200.

On Thursday morning, Mustafi and numerous others eagerly awaited the reopening of the application portal, set to allow 100 hopeful applicants to enter the system. Their anticipation had built since July, when the NWT paused its program after reaching its cap of 300 applicants for 2024—an annual limit set by the federal government.

However, just hours before the portal was scheduled to open, the NWT's Department of Education, Culture and Employment delivered the crushing blow: its federal allotment had been cut in half from 300 to 150 applicants. The department announced a pause for reassessment, leaving Mustafi and countless others in shock and uncertainty.

"We were ready—my representative, my family, everyone was in standby mode," Mustafi lamented. "Now, it feels like the future is very uncertain." She highlighted that many immigrants, including herself, are not just seeking financial gain but are striving to build stable lives with their families in Canada.

With her work permit expiring next year and her partner's only valid for a few more months, the stakes are high. The fallout from this change has extended beyond individual workers. Arun Singh, from ECEN Immigration, a consultancy in Yellowknife, reported receiving calls from distraught clients unable to sleep due to panic over their expired permits. "I have clients who were crying on the phone," Singh said, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Employers are also distressed, fearing they will lose skilled workers they have invested in training. Some foreign workers may be forced to leave the territory or Canada entirely if they cannot secure nominations.

The federal government had previously planned an overall cut in PNP allocations from 110,000 to 55,000 for 2024, surprising many who were not expecting a further reduction in the NWT program. Singh lamented the lost opportunity for the territory to maintain its population and workforce, particularly after discussions last year with Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who had shown support for increasing immigration numbers.

This latest announcement has left applicants like Aimen Mushtaq at a standstill, scrambling to renew expired documents while exploring alternate avenues, still hoping for a favorable outcome in the PNP. Meanwhile, others, like "Maya," a recent immigrant from Bangladesh, voiced similar frustrations. “We need the right guidelines. Giving hope and then snatching it away is disheartening,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll on individuals navigating this uncertain landscape.

Maya's own journey reflects a wider narrative; many international students burdened with hefty tuition and dreams of immigration now find themselves at a crossroads. The current immigration environment is under intense scrutiny as it's becoming increasingly convoluted with rapidly shifting rules.

As foreign workers in the NWT cope with this devastating news, the question remains: what is next for their aspirations of building a life in Canada? Their reliance on a stable, fair immigration system has never been clearer, and the unfolding story continues to highlight the need for transparent pathways for those who contribute significantly to the Canadian economy.