Situated in Northern Canada, the Northwest Territories are every outdoorsman’s dream. The Northwest Territories province is the second-largest territory in Canada at 1,144,000 km2.The province is a beautifully mesmerizing part of Canada and boasts the country’s largest lake, Great Bear Lake, which is 31,153 km², yet it is also underpopulated with only 40,000 people. The capital city of Yellowknife was founded in 1934 after the discovery of gold and has since grown into a small, yet bustling center of business. On July 15, 1870, the Northwest Territories, a component of the former North-Western Territory, joined the Canadian Confederation. Since then, the region has been partitioned four times, each time to create new provinces and territories or to expand existing ones.
Health Care
Landed immigrants are eligible for health coverage in Northwest Territories. In order to receive health benefits, you must register with Northwest TerritoriesHealth Services and obtain a Health Services card.
Weather
Summers can be mild in the Northwest Territories, but it can be very cold in the winter, when temperatures can go below -30, even -40 degrees Celsius. It is very important to ensure that you are prepared for the cold weather. Invest in warm winter clothing, including sweaters, winter jackets, boots, hats, scarves and gloves or mittens. If you do not dress warmly in the winter you will risk becoming ill or getting frostbite. Frostbite is severe damage to the skin caused by winter wind exposure.
Canadians keep candles and matches, warm blankets, flash lights, first aid kits, and small snow shovels in their cars and homes in case of emergencies. In most parts of Canada your car must have specially designated winter tires in order to legally, and safely, drive in the winter.
Education
There are only two colleges in the Northwest Territories; Aurora College, and the Academy of Learning College. Both colleges offer limited programs, mostly in accounting, information technology, business, and office administration. For those interested in studying business management, the Northwest Territories are considered a great academic opportunity with a varied selection of interesting programs.
Career/Jobs
To begin working legally in the Northwest Territories after arrival, follow these steps:
Apply for your Social Insurance number (SIN). Ensure your credentials are assessed with the Canadian Centre for International Credentials.If you work in a trade, ensure that you have the certifications required by law in the Northwest Territories to practice your trade. For trade certification, begin by contacting Red Seal, a nation-wide trade certification organization. Register with appropriate territorial regulatory organization for your profession, where applicable.Also, register for language classes, if required, to improve English or French language skills.
Following these steps will ensure that you are prepared to begin working in the Northwest Territories.
Housing
There are multiple housing options across Canada. If you have not visited your new city prior to immigrating, it may be best to rent an apartment on a temporary basis when you first arrive, and/or hire a real estate agent to guide you through the housing process and provide you with knowledgeable advice on the best areas for you and your family.
Many families prefer to live in suburbs where housing is more affordable as housing is generally more expensive in cities. Suburbs often provide all facilities such as safe neighbourhoods, schools, shopping centres and healthcare, all within close proximity to the amenities of the city.
It is important that you take your family, your place of work, neighbourhood and finances into account before deciding on a place to live.
Cost of living
The reality of living in the Northwest Territories is that the region is rather isolated and transportation costs affect the price of general purchases. Transportation fare for a single -pass costs around $2.86 and if you use public transport then you will get a deduction of around $75 per month .Though these prices can be high, the wages and salaries per hour are some of the highest in Canada at $13, 46 per hour. The Northwest Territories encourage skilled workers to make the move here by paying a bonus or supplement to applicants.
Economy
Currently, the Northwest Territories economy is based on the extraction of petroleum and natural gas, as well as the mining of gold and diamonds. The land is rich in resources, and mining is, therefore, one of the major works conducted in this region. As a whole, immigrants enjoy various possibilities in the mining field as well as the transport and jewellery industry.