There was no need to push for a unanimous decision among council Tuesday evening when it came to a vote that siblings Graham and Emily Nishikawa would be the first people to ever receive keys to the city.

All council members raised their hands in favour of bestowing the honour of the Yukon cross-country skiers.

Coun. Mike Gladish, who works as the manager of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, did so only after stating with a smile that he was "very proud to have a conflict” on the matter.

Emily competed for Canada during February's Sochi Olympics, where she was the fastest Canadian female in the 15-kilometre skiathon.

Graham was there guiding paralympian skier Brian McKeever to gold at the subsequent Paralympics.

"Emily and Graham Nishikawa are life-long members of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club,” Rob Fendrick, the city's director of corporate services, stated in a report to council.

"Their initial introduction to cross-country skiing was with the local club, and in their pursuit of this sport have been excellent ambassadors for the City of Whitehorse and the Yukon Territory.”

The report goes on to state the recent accomplishments of both skiers at the Olympics and Paralympics and nationals.

After competing in Sochi, Emily represented the Yukon and the local ski club in the nationals in Newfoundland and Labrador, taking gold in the 5-km classic, sharing gold with fellow team member Dahria Beatty in the team sprint and winning silver in the women's 30-km classic.

Meanwhile, Graham guided McKeever to a gold in the 1-km sprint and teamed up with fellow guider Erik Carlton to guide McKeever to another two golds in the 10-km and 20-km classic events.

He then went on to represent the territory and local club at the nationals, where he brought home a gold in the 1.5-km skate event and a bronze in the men's 50-km classic.

"Emily and Graham led the Yukon Ski Team to its best-ever finish at the Canadian Championships and, along with their younger team mates, helped the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club achieve a second place ranking out of 59 clubs from across Canada.

"The achievements of Emily and Graham Nishikawa have brought world and national attention to the city as a winter destination and an excellent place to live and enjoy winter and outdoor recreation.”

Before council voted in favour of awarding the keys to the city to the two skiers, members joked that Coun. Kirk Cameron wouldn't have to worry about it not being unanimous.

The comments came after Cameron had brought forward an amendment earlier in the meeting that anytime the council is considering giving the keys to the city to someone, it should be a unanimous decision.

Cameron was ultimately defeated in his proposal.

Mayor Dan Curtis and Coun. John Streicker joined him on the losing end of that vote after he argued the honour is a serious one that should require the support of all of council.

"It's a statement,” Cameron said, arguing that it's one stating those who will receive the keys are the "best of the best”.

Councillors Dave Stockdale and Betty Irwin argued the city should continue with its majority voting practice.

Gladish noted the potential recipients would likely be discussed prior to a council vote, and if there were reasons not to have a potential nominee receive the honour, it would likely be discussed at that point.

By the time it comes to council, it's likely the vote would be unanimous, Gladish pointed out.

While Cameron's proposal was defeated in a 4-3 vote, the vote to go ahead with the policy for the keys to the city was passed unanimously prior to the vote on the Nishikawas being the first recipients of the keys.

"The irony,” Curtis remarked.

As council learned last week in an administrative report, the keys to the city are a "ceremonial gesture of welcome and appreciation, evoking medieval walled cities whose gates were guarded during the day and locked at night.

The key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will as a trusted friend of city residents.

"Presenting the keys to the city is a symbolic gesture that allows council to recognize individuals in a manner more formal and substantial than simple acknowledgement at an open public meeting.”

The city will have its first keys to the city presentation at its May 5 council meeting.