Canadian Town Council Paralyzed Over Refusal to Swear Oath to King Charles

Dawson City's newly elected officials have until December 9 to resolve the standoff or face nullification of their election results under Yukon law.

Dawson City's mayor-elect and council members have refused to take the mandatory oath of allegiance to King Charles III, halting all municipal governance.
The refusal was made in solidarity with council member Darwyn Lynn, an Indigenous leader of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, citing the Crown's historical treatment of Indigenous peoples.
Under Yukon law, elected officials must take the oath within 40 days of their election or their positions will be declared vacant, with the deadline set for December 9.
The council has requested permission to take an alternative oath, but Yukon authorities have not yet confirmed whether this request will be granted.
This incident reflects broader discussions in Canada and other Commonwealth nations about the relevance of pledging allegiance to the monarchy in modern governance.