Reports
Capitalize the titles of Government of Yukon reports, strategies and plans once they have been approved and published, whether publicly or internally. Only capitalize the nouns and verbs. This style is called title case. Do not use italics or quotation marks.
Climate Change Action Plan
Energy Strategy for Yukon
If “Government of Yukon” forms part of the title, remember to write the “Government of Yukon”, not the “Yukon government” or the “Yukon Government".
If a publication is in the planning phase and has not yet been published or given a definite title, put it in lowercase. Once it is published, it can be written in title case.
Not: We will publish a Poverty Reduction Strategy in the spring
But: We will publish a poverty reduction strategy in the spring
What We Heard reports
When you write the full title of a What We Heard report, use title case and omit the word "report":
What We Heard: Sewage Lagoon Engagement
What We Heard: Internet Connectivity Engagement
What We Heard: Design of Community Garden Engagement
If you're referring to the report in your text, use "What We Heard report":
The What We Heard report was first published in May 2021.
We have captured the comments we received at community meetings and in the online survey in the What We Heard report.
Headings
View the guidance on writing headings in documents and other materials, including on web pages.
Campaigns and slogans
Use title case for campaign titles and slogans but not italics or quotation marks.
Not: stop pushing or Stop Pushing or ‘Stop Pushing’ or “Stop Pushing”
But: Stop Pushing
Books, songs and plays
Capitalize the nouns and verbs in titles of books, songs and theatre productions. Also put these titles in italics.
Gone with the Wind
The Taming of the Shrew
If the words in a title are hyphenated, capitalize both words.
The Well-Brought Up Child
The Six-Fingered Ape
Formal titles
For titles of office or rank, use capitals (uppercase) for someone’s position as well as for their portfolio.
Not: premier Jane Doe, minister Jane Doe, Tourism and Culture Minister Jane Doe, minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate Jane Doe
But: Premier Jane Doe, Minister Jane Doe, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jane Doe, Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate Jane Doe
Not: chief Jane Doe, mayor Jane Doe, dr. Jane Doe
But: Chief Jane Doe, Mayor Jane Doe, Dr. Jane Doe
If you’re writing about Premiers and Ministers in a generic way without referring to specific individuals, use uppercase.
Not: The premiers, ministers and chiefs will meet tomorrow with the prime minister
But: The Premiers, Ministers and Chiefs will meet tomorrow with the Prime Minister
Not: A prime minister, premier and a commissioner have very different roles
But: A Prime Minister, Premier and a Commissioner have very different roles
Write “former” and “acting” and so on in lowercase.
Not: Acting Deputy Minister Jane Doe, Former Mayor John Doe, Former Commissioner Jane Doe
But: acting Deputy Minister Jane Doe, former Mayor John Doe, former Commissioner Jane Doe
When you’re referring to a Minister’s portfolio or a Chief’s First Nation, put the portfolio or First Nation first and do not use a comma.
Not: Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Jane Doe, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations chief, Jane Doe
But: Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Jane Doe, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Jane Doe
If you’re referring to a Minister who has more than one department and one or more of the departments have “and” in their name, use a comma to separate the departments.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, and Highways and Public Works Jane Doe.
Letters and messages
The format for writing the Premier's or a Minister's name at the end of a message or letter is to put their name on the 1st line and their title on the 2nd line with no commas.
For example:
Jane Doe
Premier
Jane Doe
Minister of Environment
Honourable
The title “Honourable” is not generally used in the Government of Yukon as our tone of voice is more inclusive and informal.
An exception is when the Premier and Ministers address the Speaker in tributes and ministerial statements in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
Not: Mr. Speaker
But: Honourable Speaker
Also, "honourable" may sometimes be used in joint news releases, if it’s another government’s preference.
Not: Hon. Minister, honourable Minister
But: the Honourable Jane Brown, Minister of Justice
When federal Ministers are referred to as “the Honourable”, extend the same courtesy to territorial and provincial Ministers.
For more guidance about formal titles refer to The Canadian Style. But remember that the Government of Yukon's style guide includes unique preferences specific for the Yukon.
Job titles
All positions from Deputy Ministers and “above”, such as Ministers and the Premier, must be in uppercase.
For ordinary job titles “below” Deputy Ministers, such as directors, analysts, officers and assistants, always use lowercase in public materials. This is because capital letters are harder to read.
We recommend that all job titles "below" Deputy Ministers in the government hierarchy are in lowercase in all government materials whether they’re public or internal. However, we recognize that in reports and internal documents you may prefer to use uppercase for all job titles.
Whatever you decide, you must use a consistent style within one document and related documents.
News releases and statements
Headings
Statement headings
For statement headings, write full sentences.
Not: Statement from Premier Jane Brown on call with western Premiers
But: Statement from the Premier on a call with western Premiers
News release headings
For news release headings, use an abbreviated style.
Not: The Premier and the business delegation conclude their Asia mission
But: Premier and business delegation conclude Asia mission
Portfolios
In news release and statement headings write portfolios rather than names.
Not: Minister of Environment Jane Brown announces new funding
But: Minister of Environment announces new funding
In the body of a news release, write the portfolio in the first instance and then just “Minister [Minister's last name]” for any following references.
- First use of the Minister's name: Minister of Tourism and Culture Jane Brown
- Second and consecutive uses of the Minister's name: Minister Jane Brown