What's become a New Year's Day tradition and top social engagement in the territory's capital has been cancelled for 2011.

In a statement to the Star Thursday afternoon, the commissioner's office confirmed the annual Jan. 1 New Year's Levee hosted by the commissioner is off.

Because the appointment of Commissioner Doug Phillips happened so late in December, there wasn't enough time before Jan. 1 to plan a New Year's Levee, which takes a minimum of four to six weeks to arrange.

Commissioner's Awards, typically handed out at the levee, can be presented at any function during the year and will be rescheduled for other events.

The Governor General's Academic Awards, also usually presented during the levee, fall under the Department of Education, which will be responsible for rescheduling those presentations.

While those awards are usually presented at the levee, it is the department that arranges for the presentation.

Phillips, a Yukon Party cabinet minister in the 1990s, succeeded Geraldine Van Bibber as commissioner. He was sworn in last Friday evening.