Council in Dawson City Stalled Over Allegiance Oath to King Charles III

The Dawson City council's refusal to swear allegiance to King Charles III has created a governance impasse, reflecting ongoing discussions about colonial legacies in Canada.

Dawson City, located in the Yukon Territory of Canada and home to about 2,400 residents, is facing a significant governance challenge as its newly elected council has refused to take the oath of allegiance to King Charles III. Mayor-elect Stephen Johnson and council members, elected last month, were expected to be sworn in this month, but their swearing-in ceremony has stalled due to their collective decision to forgo the oath. This refusal arises in solidarity with council member Darwyn Lynn, a representative from the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, who has expressed reservations regarding their traditional ties and historical context involving the Crown and Indigenous peoples.

According to Yukon law, the elected officials have a deadline of December 9 to take the oath, or else their election results will be considered null and void, preventing them from carrying out legal duties that fall under the Municipal Act. "We can’t do anything legally required of us under the Municipal Act," Johnson stated, emphasizing the predicament the council is currently facing.

Johnson clarified that this decision was not intended to show disrespect for the monarchy or provoke larger national sentiments against the Crown. Instead, he portrayed it as a unified stance promoting solidarity with Indigenous issues within their community. The council is now seeking an alternative oath, which has been acknowledged by Yukon’s Department of Community Services, although they have not made any definitive comments on its approval.

The outgoing mayor, Bill Kendrick, expressed hope for a resolution that would allow the incoming council to begin their official duties, highlighting mixed sentiments within the community surrounding the obligation to swear allegiance to the monarchy. Some residents believe the oath is antiquated, while others regard it as an emblem of support for Canadian democracy.

Dawson City, having historical ties to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, stands on land that was once the Tr’ochëk hunting and fishing camp and has seen significant displacement of its Indigenous peoples since that time. The broader Canadian dialogue regarding colonialism and Indigenous rights continues to evolve, with Prime Minister Trudeau addressing the need for acknowledgment and reconciliation of the nation's troubled legacy. Previous incidents of officials refusing to pledge allegiance to the Crown, such as recent legislative changes in the province of Quebec, indicate a growing movement questioning established traditions in Canadian politics.