Dawson City file photo
Whitehorse, YT – Dawson City’s governance is on hold after the newly elected mayor and council refused to pledge allegiance to King Charles, a requirement under the Yukon Municipal Act.
The refusal was made over concerns about the Crown’s historical treatment of Indigenous Peoples.
Stephen Johnson, Dawson Mayor-elect, and the council refused to say the Oath of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony on November 5th.
Without taking the oath, the council is unable to carry out official duties and a deadline looms in December in which the future of the council could be in question.
“If a person elected to council fails to take the prescribed oaths or affirmations of office and allegiance within 40 days after they are proclaimed elected, their election shall be considered null and void and their office vacant,” reads the Yukon Municipal Act.”
The Canada Press reports that the council has requested an alternative oath and the Yukon Government is reviewing the situation.
