Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie has met with ailing NDP Leader Todd Hardy and his doctors to discuss his condition.

Hardy found out earlier this month he is suffering from leukemia. He was medevaced to St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, where he is receiving chemotherapy.

Hardy spoke with the Star this morning from his hospital bed while receiving his cancer drugs by IV.

He said Fentie had called him at the hospital on Aug. 18 and asked for permission to visit and talk about his condition.

Hardy, 49, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the type most commonly found in children. Only 20 per cent of the cases are found in adults, usually over the age of 50.

Hardy said he told the premier he would welcome his visit, but asked he make Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell aware of his intentions to go to Vancouver.

The letter sent to the Liberal office was leaked to the media early Friday afternoon on the day of Fentie's visit.

Hardy said he and the premier visited for approximately an hour and a half.

The discussion regarding Hardy's health was relatively brief, he said.

Hardy made his doctors available to explain to Fentie the logistics of his cancer treatment and the expected timelines for his stay at the hospital.

Hardy is currently in isolation on day 18 of what is expected to be a 28-day phase of chemotherapy. He is receiving a variety of drugs both in pill and intravenous format.

Following the conclusion of the initial attack of chemo drugs, Hardy will be released from the hospital. Over the following four weeks, he will have to visit the hospital five days a week.

Hardy said his doctors then expect to be able to permit him to return home to the Yukon with continued chemotherapy out of the Whitehorse General Hospital and follow-up visits still occurring in Vancouver.

The current timeline means the NDP leader will likely be back in the Yukon in early October.

Hardy said the premier made it clear the leader's health is something he is taking into account in his deliberations on when to drop the writ for the general election. Fentie must do so by November.

'But he said it's his call,' said Hardy, adding he understands the final decision rests in the hands of the premier.

No actual dates were discussed, he added, and no negotiations were conducted.

'He might just be trying to be considerate about having all three leaders in the territory when the election is called.'

Hardy has previously stated he would like some time to regain his strength prior to the election, in which he still intends to lead his party and run to maintain his position of MLA for Whitehorse Centre.

People are continuing to rally around the NDP and see the party as the only alternative to the current government, said Hardy.

'It's an opposition party that has really accomplished a lot and really shaped government,' he said. 'We brought forward many debates and challenged government, forcing them to respond.'

The rest of the conversation with the premier was focused on Fentie offering to help Hardy and his wife, Louise, who is with him in Vancouver, connect with some friends who may be able to give them a place to stay during the month out of the hospital.

Mutual friends, the Yukon and Fentie's new motorcycle were also chatted about, said Hardy.

'At some point, you have to put the politics aside,' he said.

Hardy said his doctors are continuing to tell him his body is responding well to the chemotherapy.

'I'm right on exactly what they want to see,' he said.

He added, however, he is finding 'it really takes everything out of you' and he feels like his 'gas tank' is on empty a lot of the time.

He is trying to get out of the hospital to go for short walks about two or three times a day, but finds after being out for about an hour he is exhausted.

'You're trying to build your strength,' he said. 'I'm getting stronger every day.'

Yukon Party spokesman Peter Carr said this morning Fentie will not comment on the meeting.

Hardy first ran for political office in the October 1996 election, won by Piers McDonald's New Democrats. He was narrowly defeated by then-Liberal Mike McLarnon in the 2000 vote when the Liberals swept to power, taking every seat in Whitehorse.

Hardy regained the Whitehorse Centre seat with an 82-vote margin in 2002.