Yukon and the Yukon

Date adopted: 
December 11, 2019
Last update: 
August 12, 2021

Yukon and the Yukon

“The Yukon” is the recommended language to use in government materials. This is to recognize that for many people referring to “the Yukon” is part of the territory’s unique culture. We want Yukoners to feel represented by the public service that serves them.

Internal and public materials

For internal or public-focused products, use “the Yukon” rather than “Yukon.” Examples of such products are reports, flyers, advertisements, speaking notes, news releases, letters, digital content, briefing notes and policy documents.

Formal materials

For formal products, such as agreements and legislative documents, use “Yukon” rather than “the Yukon.” This is because the territory is referred to as “Yukon” in the Yukon Act that brought about devolution in 2003 and gave the Government of Yukon province-like powers.

Ministerial preferences

For materials that you write for your Minister, such as speaking notes, briefing notes and letters, find out and follow your Minister’s preference.

First Nations governments’ preferences

If you’re working with First Nations governments and they have a preference, defer to their preference.

Community preferences

If communities of interest, organizations or groups you’re working with have a preference, defer to their preference.

Be consistent

Make sure you’re consistent within a product or suite of products. Avoid using a mixture of “Yukon” and “the Yukon”.

Territory

While the Yukon is a territory constitutionally, our preference is to refer to simply “the Yukon” (or "Yukon" in agreements and legislative documents) rather than “the Yukon territory.” This helps to reflect the devolution process that took place in 2003 when the Government of Yukon gained direct control over a much wider variety of provincial-type programs, responsibilities and powers.