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Yukon Party Official Opposition seeks clarification over nominee program

Monday, 10 June 2024 11:03

By Panebi Wilson @chonfmpwilson

Picture of Currie Dixon in the Alexander Smith Building in Whitehorse.

It is concerning to see so many questions around a program that is so important to businesses and Yukoners.

Yukon Party Official Opposition is seeking clarification over recent comments on the status of the Yukon Nominee Program.

In a media relase, Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon said Yukon's premier Ranj Pillai needs to clarify his comments in an interview Monday, that the Nominee Program was paused because of the cap as opposed to the May 16 announcement which indicated Whitehorse applications were being shut down because of a backlog of applications.

News of the temporary pause stirred multiple reactions from business owners as they are concerned about the reason given for the pause of the program. The pause to the Yukon Nominee Program is short-sighted and heavy-handed said a Whitehorse business owner.

Yukon's premier Ranj Pillai said there's been a lot of misinformation about decision to stop accepting any new applications to the territory's nominee program this year.

While responding in an interview Monday, Pillai said the statement from the business owner was incorrect. Pillai said the pause was because the federal government has only allocated 430 spots for nominees this year in Yukon, and the territory has received 590 applications — more than enough to fill those spots.

"We are processing all of those applications so that we can fill those 430 spots. And I think as of last week we still have 300 more application or spots to fill. So, we haven't stopped our program," Pillai said.

According to Dixon, it is concerning to see so many questions around a program that is so important to businesses and Yukoners. He added It is equally concerning to see the premier go on local radio and attack the media and a private business owner.

"I hope the premier will clear the air and apologize to the business owner and media outlets" Dixon said.

The YNP is an immigration program that allows the Yukon government to nominate qualified individuals for permanent residency in Canada. The program is designed to address the unique needs of the territory and attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and their families to settle in Yukon.

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