Independent MLA John Edzerza does not appear in a rush to help topple the Yukon Party government in the wake of a key cabinet member's defection that reduced the ruling party to minority government status.

Edzerza told the Star Wednesday a minority government could be good for the territory. He also likened the Opposition Liberals to scavengers, and left the door open to rejoining the New Democrats, the party he left at the beginning of the year.

"I don't see anything wrong with a minority government situation," said the McIntyre-Takhini MLA. "It would best suit the public at large, in my opinion."

Now ex-Energy minister Brad Cathers' resignation, prompted Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell to announce his intentions to oust Premier Dennis Fentie's regime in a confidence vote at the earliest opportunity. But Edzerza views that response as troubling.

"This is like a bunch of ravens waiting for the horse to die. In a way, as I see the dynamics playing out there, it looks like (the Liberals) are over-anxious to get in the driver's seat," Edzerza said. "It gives your head a shake."

The independent MLA did not completely rule out voting no confidence in the government, but stressed it had to be in his constituents' best interest.

"It's never about myself, it's about the public I represent," he said.

"I really prefer to cross the bridges as I come to them ... if it comes to where I have to make such a decision, I'd like to take the time to think it out and try to be as sure as I can."

While the legislative assembly traditionally sits twice a year - once in the spring and again in the fall - law stipulates it must convene at least once every calendar year, opening the possibility the premier could wait until next May to recall the house.

Mitchell's promised confidence motion would require all nine MLAs sitting in opposition to support it.

As Cathers, and now Edzerza, are wavering on whether they would vote to bring down the government, Fentie may not need to delay the next sitting to cling to power.

As for Cathers' decision to walk away from the current government, Edzerza praised the legislature's newest independent member and heaped all the blame on Fentie.

"I say kudos to Brad. It's good to see someone else besides myself had the intestinal fortitude to stand up to (Fentie)," Edzerza said.

"The premier always went off and did his own thing, and now it's finally caught up to him. The proof is in the pudding now - this is the third minister to walk out under his leadership and says something as to how he runs the ship."

Edzerza was Justice and Education Minister in Fentie's government until he bowed out in the summer of 2006, following in the steps of cabinet colleague Peter Jenkins, who also left the Yukon Party.

Both sat as independent MLAs until the election that fall. Jenkins retired from politics and Edzerza ran for re-election under the Yukon NDP banner.

In one of the tightest races in the territory's history, Edzerza squeaked back into the assembly, beating Liberal candidate Ed Schultz, a former grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, by just eight votes. Little more than two years later, Edzerza would quit the NDP.

"I never really did say why I left out of respect for (NDP Leader) Todd (Hardy)," he said, hinting it was Hardy's leadership style, yet offering little more than he did last January after leaving.

"There were some issues around how the leadership is being handled, but I respect the fact that the man has got a lot on his mind and a lot on his plate in dealing with the health issue."

The relapse of Hardy's leukemia late last year is the primary reason the ailing leader said he would step aside as soon as the party found a successor. Its leadership convention is Sept. 26.

Asked if any party had contacted him in the wake of Cathers' resignation, Edzerza said just Elizabeth Hanson, the sole contender for the NDP's top job.

"She phoned me and we had a brief discussion," he said, leaving the door open to rejoining the NDP. "That possibility is there (of going back)."

Edzerza also put to bed speculation he will retire from politics altogether.

"I'm not done yet. I've still got a lot of good years in me ... there's a lot of things that I accomplished when I was in government and there's still a lot of things that need to be addressed," he said.

Getting an on-the-land treatment centre up and running is one those items high on Edzerza's social agenda.