The new Whitehorse city council was sworn in in front of a full house on Nov. 1, 2024.
Mayor Kirk Cameron, alongside Couns. Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melnychuk, Jenny Hamilton and Paolo Gallina, swore an oath of office and pledged allegiance to King Charles III and all heirs and successors.
Per tradition, council also swore the oath of Athens, promising to never disgrace to Whitehorse by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, and to fight for the city’s ideals.
“We will transmit this city, not only, not less, but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us,” the council said in unison during the ceremony, repeating after Justice of the Peace Steven Smith.
In attendance were Chief Ruth Massie and Deputy Chief Michelle Telep of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Chief Sean Uyenets'echᶖa Smith of Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston was also in attendance. Premier Ranj Pillai, Ministers John Streicker and Richard Mostyn, were also in the audience, as was leader of the official opposition Currie Dixon. Yukon commissioner Adeline Webber and MP Brendan Hanley were also present.
The first city council meeting took place immediately after, and council delegated the roles of deputy and deputy reserve mayor, as well as chairs and vice-chairs of city committees. The positions rotate from councillor to councillor throughout the four-year term of council.
City council is set to meet again on Monday, Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. for the first standing committee meeting of the term.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
