Premier Dennis Fentie's silence on a date for the next session of the legislature and a new budget is nothing short of arrogance, says Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell.

Mitchell said in an interview Wednesday there is no reason why the premier needs to keep the date a secret.

By not announcing the next sitting and the delivery of the next territorial budget, Fentie is creating unnecessary anxiety across the board, said Mitchell.

He said there are scores of non-governmental organizations wondering about ongoing funding beyond this fiscal year, which will end March 31.

Mitchell said senior government employees who provide department support during budget debates are also left hanging in terms of making any travel plans and such.

'It is a very stressful time for government employees and knowing what the timelines are in advance would just be helpful,' the Liberal leader said.

Mitchell said it appears Fentie is pushing the envelope to the end of the fiscal year, just because he can.

'But I think it is arrogant for him to do that.'

But both Mitchell and NDP Leader Todd Hardy predicted Wednesday that Fentie will announce later today he will reconvene the legislature March 23, in keeping with the requirement that he provide two weeks' notice to the opposition parties.

The premier has booked his annual address to the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce for March 21. As well, the Yukon Party's annual general assembly is scheduled for March 25, both opposition party leaders pointed out.

'We would have liked to see it a couple of weeks ago, but yeah, we are expecting an announcement (today),' Hardy said.

'For the whole period of Mr. Fentie's government, they have always been late. So we have gotten used to the fact that he usually waits until the last minute until he comes in.'

There was no announcement as of press time early this afternoon, and the premier declined to respond to Mitchell's criticism.

Cabinet spokesman Peter Carr said Fentie did indicate Wednesday he will announce a sitting date soon.

Hardy, like Mitchell, said his concern is for those organizations that are left waiting to hear if their needs are going to be addressed beyond the end of this fiscal year, March 31.

Local businesses that provide supplies and services to the government can't plan ahead, as they don't know where the Yukon Party is going to direct spending, he said.

'Mr. Fentie is putting a lot of unnecessary hardship on those groups and departments,' Mitchell said. 'Good planning and hard work always bring the budget in early.'

Hardy does not expect Fentie to deliver a budget, then go straight to the polls for a spring election.

From what he can see, the Yukon Party is not ready for an election, said the leader of the official Opposition.

'My gut feeling is still the fall.'

Fentie must call an election by November.