Role of the Commissioner

The Commissioner is appointed by the Government of Canada. Her role is very similar to a provincial lieutenant governor.

The Commissioner is Yukon's head of state and generally acts on the advice of elected officials.

One of the Commissioner’s most important responsibilities is to ensure Yukon has a Premier at all times. If the Office of the Premier becomes vacant due to a resignation or death, it is the duty of the Commissioner to ensure the post is filled. If the government resigns following a defeat in the legislature or in an election, the Commissioner has the same responsibilities.

The Commissioner is an important figure in both the legislature and the Government of Yukon.

Responsibilities of the Commissioner include both statutory and customary duties, as follows:

• Ensure continuity of government and maintain democratic freedoms.
• Swear-in members of legislative assembly.
• Read the Speech from the Throne at the opening of each legislative session.  
• Summon, prorogue, and dissolve the legislature. 
• Provide assent to bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, enabling them to become law.
• Upon advice from Cabinet, sign orders-in-council, Commissioner’s warrants, statutory appointments, and dispositions of Commissioner’s lands.
• Represent the distinct interests of Yukon’s people by acting as a symbolic head of Yukon, including attending official functions.

The Honourable Geraldine Van Bibber was inaugurated as Yukon’s Commissioner on December 16, 2005.