Government of Yukon tables bill to update references to Sovereign of Canada in legislation

The Government of Yukon has tabled Bill No. 23, References to the Sovereign Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023.

In light of the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, His Majesty King Charles III became Canada’s new Sovereign and Head of State.

As a result of this transition, the Yukon’s legislation must be updated to reflect the identity of the current Sovereign of Canada. This bill will accomplish this while streamlining the process for similar updates in the future.

With Bill 23, our government is making sure that Yukon legislation is updated to accurately reflect the identity of the current Sovereign of Canada. It will also help make these important changes more efficient in the future to allow the Legislative Assembly to spend its time on issues important to Yukoners. 

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee

Quick facts 
  • The proposed amendments are administrative and do not impact policy guiding how government operates.

  • Bill No. 23 amends the Yukon’s legislation to reflect the identity of the current Sovereign of Canada.

  • It also introduces a new provision to the Regulations Act, which would allow for future administrative updates on the references to the Sovereign in the Yukon’s legislation to be made through regulation instead of by statute.

Media contact 

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

 

Fiona Azizaj
Communications, Justice
867-667-8148
fiona.azizaj@yukon.ca

News release #: 
23-061