Yukon Municipality Leaders No Longer Required to Take Oath to King
The Yukon government has announced that municipal elected officials no longer need to swear an oath to the King. This decision was made following the refusal of newly elected councillors in Dawson Creek to take the oath.
The Municipal Act mandates that councillor-elects must take the oath within 40 days of being elected, or else they will lose their seat and trigger a byelection, as stated in a Nov. 29 Yukon government news release.
The government has now allowed those in office to take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution, as it is considered the “supreme law” in Canada. However, the traditional pledge to the Crown remains an option for those who prefer it.
“The revised oath gives elected local government officials the choice to pledge their allegiance to either the laws and the Constitution of Canada, or to the Crown. Previously, elected municipal officials were obligated to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Crown,” the release explains.
Under the Oath of Allegiance, councillors pledge their faithfulness and allegiance to King Charles III, the current monarch, as well as to his heirs and successors.
“This decision does not necessitate a change in legislation and enables elected municipal officials to take the Oath of Allegiance in a manner that reflects their values and cultural backgrounds,” the government states.
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In 2017, Ontario also modified the Public Service of Ontario Act to exempt individuals of indigenous descent from swearing allegiance to the Crown if it conflicted with their views on the relationship between the Crown and indigenous peoples. The act introduced an alternative oath for leaders assuming office.
In a similar vein, Quebec adapted their oath in 2022 after some members of the Parti Quebecois objected to it and were consequently barred from their seats. Previously, Quebec legislators had to swear dual oaths to the Quebec people and the Crown, with some politicians choosing to do so privately.
Quebec Solidaire’s 11-member caucus also withheld the oath in 2022 but opted for a private affirmation rather than risking their positions.
Earlier this year, a bill in New Brunswick proposing the removal of the Crown allegiance requirement was voted down by MPs. The bill, introduced in June 2023 and presented for first reading, aimed to offer MPs the choice between pledging allegiance to the Constitution or to the Crown, but was defeated in April.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
