Yukon NDP Leader Todd Hardy's Whitehorse Centre seat could be vacant as early as July, setting the stage for a byelection in the downtown riding.

"There are circumstances that I have to deal with before I make a decision, and hopefully I'll have that done in the next month-and-a-half," Hardy told the Star. He cited his ailing health, family considerations and fulfilling MLA duties that must be factored in to his decision.

"And after all that, do I still have the energy and drive to be able to represent the people in the manner I feel they deserve? If I find myself unable to do it, then definitely, I will be stepping down."

In February, Hardy announced he was leaving the NDP's helm because his leukemia, first diagnosed in the summer of 2006, had returned.

With an NDP leadership convention set for Sept. 25, Hardy marked his final day in the legislative assembly as the leader last Thursday by giving each MLA and several government staffers a rose. He will remain as leader until a replacement is determined.

To date, Mount Lorne New Democrat member Steve Cardiff is the only person to declare his intentions to seek the leadership.

When an MLA vacates his or her seat between territorial elections (the next one will be in 2011), the premier has 180 days to call a byelection.

Hardy, who has been absent several times during the spring sitting, used his last question period opportunity to urge legislature members to seek common ground and raise the level of decorum in the house.

"I have no doubt that everyone who runs ... and wins office enters this assembly with good intentions and a desire to be part of a positive social change," he said.

"But compare this with the feelings toward politicians on the streets and the stories in the media.

"Let us rise above ourselves. Let us rise above our parties. Let us serve the people. Serving the people means that this chamber needs to make some changes as well."

Hardy was first elected to the legislative assembly in October 1996, lost his seat in 2000 when the Liberals formed a government, but was elected again in November 2002, this time as NDP leader.

While the NDP formed the goverment three times between 1985 and 2000, the party faltered under Hardy's guidance, losing two MLAs to the Liberal party and official Opposition status in 2006.

Last January, the party was reduced to two sitting members after McIntyre-Takhini MLA John Edzerza, a former Yukon Party cabinet minister, left to sit as an independent.