Ottawa raises N.W.T. nominee program allocation to 350, adds Nov. 18 draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has raised the Northwest Territories' 2026 nominee program allocation from 300 to 350, the territorial government said Tuesday, calling it the territory's highest ever. The program lets the territory nominate foreign nationals for permanent residency to meet local labour needs. Employers of the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply. An additional Employer-Driven Stream draw, the year's fifth, is scheduled for November 18; profiles must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. N.W.T. time on November 17. Ottawa initially allocated 197 spots for 2026, raising that to 300 in August. The territory says demand still exceeds available spaces.