The Liberal leader was horrified to find out the Yukon's Health minister snubbed a federal minister last week.

Pat Duncan was referring to a visit late last week by the secretary of state for Public Health, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, a Liberal MP from Toronto.

Bennett came to talk to various people in the Yukon about a public health agency the government is putting together that was born out of various health crises, including SARS and unsafe drinking water.

The agency would look at how to deal with various communicable diseases.

However, when Bennett came to the territory, she didn't get to meet with Health and Social Services Minister Peter Jenkins.

'I felt really horrified,' said Duncan, who met Bennett at a Liberal party event and apologized to the minister.

Duncan was upset that Jenkins didn't have the time to meet with Bennett.

Peter Carr, the cabinet spokesman, said Jenkins had prior commitments in Dawson City. The minister could not cancel on the short notice given by Bennett's office, Carr said.

He said department officials met with Bennett, along with other people in the territory with an interest in health care.

But Duncan said sending officials was pointless because of the direction she understands they were given.

'My understanding was the public servants were not able to speak,' she said.

Duncan wondered why the Yukon government didn't take a chance to talk to her on this and at least send a minister in Jenkins' stead.

She noted that because of the ties between animal and human health, Bennett has also been talking with veterinarians, so it would have worked out to send Environment Minister Jim Kenyon, a vet by trade.

But no minister carried the flag for the Yukon.

'To totally snub (Bennett) denied Yukoners an opportunity,' said Duncan. 'Yukon's voice hasn't been heard.'

On top of that, Duncan said Bennett wanted to tour the Whitehorse General Hospital but was denied her request.

'As a Yukoner, I feel I have to apologize (for) this government's behaviour,' Duncan said.

Premier Dennis Fentie said the discussions on this issue had been between department officials, and the request to meet with Jenkins did not come until the '11 1/2 hour', which was too late.

'We didn't know until the last minute,' said Fentie.

No one at Bennett's office was available for comment.