The Kelowna Accord, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the 2007 Canada Winter Games and climate change are all on the table for discussion at this week's Western Premiers' Conference.

But Premier Dennis Fentie isn't in attendance.

The conference, being held in Gimli, Man., 'didn't fit with the premier's schedule,' cabinet spokesman Peter Carr said this morning.

Carr said he wasn't aware of what else was in Fentie's schedule that has kept him from the meetings.

Fentie, however, did select 28-year-old Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers to go to Gimli on his behalf, he said.

'Mr. Cathers is brand new, he's very young and he's in way over his head,' said NDP Leader Todd Hardy.

Cathers, by his own admission in the legislative assembly, is new to the cabinet and is still coming to terms with all the intricacies of his portfolio, said Hardy. Cathers was handed a portfolio last December following the departure of Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins from the Yukon Party.

'Mr. Fentie could have sent far more experienced ministers,' said Hardy. 'Frankly, it should have not been Mr. Cathers.'

The only reasoning Carr was able to provide for Cathers' attendance at the meeting was that he 'was available.'

Carr said he didn't know what the availability of any of Fentie's other cabinet ministers was in relation to the meeting.

'We have worked successfully with the other western and northern jurisdictions on many issues, including health care, economic development and sovereignty and security in the North,' Fentie stated in a press release issued Monday. 'This meeting will be an invaluable opportunity to continue to build on those relationships.'

Hardy said he was surprised Fentie had decided not to attend the meeting. It is one of the most important first ministers' gatherings of the year, he said.

Yesterday, the northern and western premiers discussed the Kelowna Accord.

The $5-billion agreement, which was reached under the former federal Liberal government in late 2005, was aimed at closing the gap between first nations and non-aboriginal Canadians in the areas of health care, housing, education and economic development opportunities over the next five years.

But with its notable exclusion from the federal Conservatives' first budget, many have speculated the accord is dead.

Fentie seems disinterested in Kelowna, said Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell.

The western premiers met with aboriginal leaders at the outset of the meetings to reaffirm their commitment to Kelowna and discussed plans to move forward, which will include meetings of all the aboriginal affairs ministers from across the country.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said it was 'morally wrong' to backtrack on the commitments made at last November's Kelowna meetings.

Fentie hasn't been nearly as vocal on the issue, and when he has spoken on it, he has thrown his support behind Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government.

'The federal government is going to proceed on the commitments made in Kelowna. They may have a different name for it, but they are going to proceed on delivering over and above the housing initiative we have today in the Yukon,' Fentie told reporters last Wednesday, the last day of the legislature's spring sitting.

The Yukon received $50 million in the federal budget for the construction of affordable housing in the territory. Fentie has taken the funding to the Yukon Forum for discussion with first nation governments on how to use the money.

The money doesn't replace Kelowna, Fentie has stated, but it does show a federal commitment to dealing with gaps.

The funding, however, is not actually specifically directed at aboriginal concerns.

'I'm, this government, is comfortable with the response we're getting from Canada,' said Fentie. 'Dealing with the gaps and having effective changes made in these areas are what's important.'

But there has been no word from Fentie nor Cathers on the latest statements made by the country's premiers on Kelowna, said Mitchell.

The Opposition leader said he would like to know where the Yukon is on the issue now and if no statement is made on the territory's behalf at the conference, it's a missed opportunity.

Discussion on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and border security issues are also expected to highlight the conference.

WHTI, which is American legislation, will see travellers from Canada or Mexico entering the United States by air or sea be required to have a passport or another secure travel document, yet to be determined, as of Dec. 31, 2006.

By Dec. 31, 2007, travellers entering the States by land will be required to have the same documentation, though there has been talk of extending that deadline.

Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon and Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor, who is also the deputy premier, have both been vocal in pushing Canadian and American governments to reconsider the legislation.

WHTI has the potential have huge impacts on the Yukon's economy, they both have stated. However, neither was selected by Fentie to attend the conference or accompany Cathers.

The western premiers are scheduled to be joined by the Ontario and Quebec premiers, Harper, ambassadors and Mexican and American governors later in the week to further discuss border and security concerns.

'The premier's not there on these very significant issues that are going to have a substantial effect on people in the Yukon,' said Hardy.

It is not often these types of meetings occur, and when they do it is extremely important for the territory to have the voice of the highest authority at the table, he said.

The Yukon has worked very hard to get a seat and voice at intergovernmental conferences and to be taken more seriously, said Hardy.

The form of the territory's attendance at this meeting is a clear step backward, he said.

The other premiers will see what is happening and how seriously the Yukon takes these issues when a junior minister is sent in Fentie's place, said Hardy.

'These are not dumb politicians.'

The Yukon is also scheduled to co-lead two agenda items, climate change and using the Canada Winter Games and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics to promote sport and active living.

Fentie, who is also the territory's Environment Minister, is again depicting he has 'no interest whatsoever in the environment,' said Hardy.

Fentie said last week he was going to allow the federal government to do its work on climate change and the Kyoto Accord.

'I'm not going to stand up here and criticize away when I don't even know all the facts here,' he said. 'The federal government has a plan. They are going to proceed with it.'

But the entire situation leaves the question of what in the premier's schedule was more pressing, Mitchell said.

'If the premier's not here in the capital, it's a pretty important meeting,' he said.

Last year, following the end of the spring sitting in the legislature, Fentie also disappeared for several weeks for 'scheduled time off,' missing the visit of then-governor general Adrienne Clarkson.

Despite the premier's absence at this conference, he will be attending upcoming Council of the Federation meeting in Edmonton on June 8, said Carr.

The meeting is to discuss provincial equalization and the territorial formula financing.