Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. As I mentioned in my Member's statement a made-in-the-North immigration policy could be a key element in the Northwest Territories' goal to increase its population and generate wealth and economic activity. The department had targeted last April 2015 as the date for implementing the NWT Nominee Program, which would identify and fast track opportunities for immigration. Can the Minister advise the House of the status of an immigration strategy for the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, enhancing the Nominee Program is critical for the Northwest Territories, as the Member had stated in his Member's statement, in achieving its population as well as economic growth objectives, and also meeting some of the staff needs for northern businesses and northern employers. We have had success moving forward, but the department, I'll have to say, is currently developing an immigration framework, which will provide an integrated approach to implementing and monitoring long-term objectives of the Nominee Program, while also supporting territorial population growth.
The framework will be developed with extensive consultation with all stakeholders, and as mentioned in previous answers to other questions during this session, we do have the labour market review that's coming out, as well as our Skills 4 Success Initiative that's going to help drive us to see what needs we have throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Has the department had the chance to learn from any successful nominee programs in other provinces or territories, and if so, what have we learned?
Yes, as best practices, the department does go look at other jurisdictions to see what's happening with their programs, and we try to fit that and adapt that to northern situations. We have also a consolidated program delivery and dedicated specialized resources to the program. We've engaged employers and stakeholders that do need some of the personal resources to help them do their jobs, and just for the Member, in 2015, there were 106 nominees and their dependents approved under this program, and 460 since 2009.
Thank you to the Minister for sharing those numbers because that answers my next question. I'll jump to my last question. Can the Minister identify any new ways in which we could help prospective employers and immigrants to find opportunities in the Northwest Territories?
The department is currently working on an immigration communication strategy, which will continue to promote and raise awareness about the program. Increasing the awareness is critical for all employers, as well as stakeholders in the Northwest Territories. We also have a 1-800 number and employers can check online to see how they can get into the program, and we are, I believe, looking at a goal of 60 nominees for 2016.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
