There was a shuffle in territorial politics Tuesday but not within the cabinet.

New Democrat Todd Hardy was the leader doing the juggling when he switched some of the critic responsibilities of his party's MLAs.

All of the government's departments are divvied up among the official Opposition's MLAs. The critics are the ones who usually ask questions for their party about the specific departments they look after.

Hardy has given up the Public Service Commission portfolio and has taken on Economic Development to go with the critic roles he's kept: Finance, Executive Council Office and Legislative Assembly.

Eric Fairclough, the MLA for Mayo-Tatchun, has dropped Health and Social Services and has added Highways and Public Works and the Public Service Commission.

As well, he now looks after the entire Education portfolio, instead of just public schools, as he had before.

Kluane MLA Gary McRobb added Health and Social Services to Energy, Mines and Resources, and the Yukon Development/Energy Corporations, which he maintains.

McRobb dropped Tourism and Culture, Economic Development and the portions of Highways and Public Works he was responsible for transportation, information and communications.

Lorraine Peter, the MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, keeps Environment, the Women's Directorate and the Youth Directorate and adds Tourism. She is no longer the NDP's Justice critic.

The Justice portfolio has been handed off to Mount Lorne MLA Steve Cardiff. He drops the responsibility for advanced Education and the property management and program services portion of Highways and Public Works.

Cardiff remains the critic for the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, Community Services, the Yukon Liquor Corp. and Yukon Housing Corp.

Hardy told his MLAs right from the start that he believes in moving people around.

'It's just a philosophy of mine,' said the leader.

'It will give each of the members a broader perspective of how (the government works).'

Hardy met with each of his MLAs individually about this and then the caucus sat down as a group and discussed the various portfolios.

While the possible changes were dealt with collectively, Hardy said they were finalized by him and there were no hard feelings over the new arrangements.

The shuffle creates freshness and excitement within caucus, according to the leader.

Hardy, who embraces change, said Premier Dennis Fentie should do the same.

'I honestly believe that the people of this territory deserve change,' he said.

Hardy wants to see Fentie juggle his cabinet over the summer.

'I would say, You better shuffle your cabinet because you've got some pretty serious problems,'' said Hardy.