Thahaseem Kadankandagath, a man from India, relocated to Vancouver last year on a temporary work permit and later to the Yukon, seeking better long-term prospects. Aspire to become a permanent resident, Kadankandagath intended to apply for the Yukon Nominee Program, which expedites permanent residency for foreign nationals to address labor shortages. However, his efforts were met with unexpected hurdles.
Kadankandagath’s initial attempt to apply was met with a surprising response from his employer, the Yukon government, who stated that they were not participating in the program. Surprised by this declaration, Kadankandagath consulted a 2021 Yukon Nominee Program policy document, which outlined the criteria employers must meet to submit an application. The document indicated that employers must demonstrate efforts to hire local or Canadian citizens for the position before offering it to a foreign worker and comply with specific standards regarding wages and duration of employment. As Kadankandagath’s role appeared to meet these requirements, he sought clarification from his union and the Public Service Commission but received no assistance.
Undeterred, Kadankandagath reached out to MLAs, and this month, Yukon NDP Leader Kate White raised his concerns directly to Premier Ranj Pillai in the Legislative Assembly. To Kadankandagath’s relief, the Premier confirmed that the territorial government could participate in the program. Empowered with this information, Kadankandagath plans to reapply. However, the delays and confusion have already cost him five months.
Kadankandagath expressed frustration over the lack of clear information and support from his HR manager and director. He emphasized the need for a dedicated resource to assist applicants on behalf of the Yukon government or the Public Service Commission. White echoed Kadankandagath’s concerns, stating that he should not have had to seek political intervention for clarity on a publicly available program.
White further highlighted the challenges faced by users in navigating the Yukon Nominee Program, both for employers and nominees. She emphasized the significance of streamlining the process to facilitate the integration of newcomers into the Yukon community.
A Yukon government spokesperson responded to CBC Yukon’s inquiry by providing information about online and in-person resources available to applicants seeking access to the nominee program. They stated that immigration staff assist employers and nominees with the application process and host regular information sessions and public drop-in hours. When asked how individuals can determine if their employer is participating in the program, the spokesperson stated that any employer can participate if they meet the eligibility criteria. Foreign nationals seeking to use the program are advised to connect with hiring employers through traditional recruitment efforts.
