Premier Dennis Fentie says he has complete confidence in Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers' promotion to cabinet. However, the NDP is not quite as convinced.

'Brad has shown clearly over the three years of this mandate to be a very dedicated individual, very articulate, a keen interest in gaining knowledge on governance itself and all its facets,' Fentie told reporters Monday afternoon following question period in the legislature.

'I'm very encouraged by bringing a young person into cabinet, so along with the remaining cabinet members, we have some good balance now.'

Cathers has been handed the Health and Social Services portfolio, as well as the position of minister responsible for the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board. He will also serve as the government house leader.

At 28 years old, he is now the youngest member of the cabinet.

NDP Leader Todd Hardy told the Star yesterday he was concerned Cathers' past alliance with the Reform Party of Canada may be an indication of the future of health care in the Yukon.

Hardy again brought forward his concerns on the floor of the legislature yesterday.

'This is a member who is well known as a big supporter of Preston Manning and the previous Reform Party, as well as the new Conservatives. It's very clear that their position around health care is to move in the direction of privatization,' said Hardy.

'With the appointment of this new Health and Social Services minister from Lake Laberge and his position being on record, is this the new direction in which this government is going?'

Fentie told the house Hardy's suggestion was 'complete and total nonsense.

'The government has worked very hard to make sure the Yukon's health care system can deliver the goods to its citizens under the Canada Health Act,' he said.

Though Cathers wasn't given the opportunity to response to Hardy's line of questioning on the floor of the legislature, he told reporters the Yukon Party government is 'very committed to increasing the health care that is available to Yukoners.

'Our record of health care investment is strong and we intend to continue that,' he said.

Cathers, however, admits he doesn't have 'a lot of background specific to health,' adding his experience revolves around management.

He received his high school education through home schooling and never pursued a post-secondary education. Much of his adult life has been spent working for his family's business, Cathers Wilderness Adventures, he said.

He was first elected in the November 2002 election.

'It is a large responsibility and it's one I think I'm up to,' he said.

The budget for the Department of Health and Social Services is by far the Yukon's largest, sitting at $178 million in the 2005-06 supplementary budget.

Fentie joined Cathers for the scrum following question period, stating, 'I just want to reaffirm that we are very comfortable with Mr. Cathers taking on this very important portfolio.

'I feel strongly that Mr. Cathers can carry out the duties as the minister for the Health and Social Services portfolio. He has what it takes.'

Cathers declined to comment on any plans or ideas he has for the portfolio. He said he wants to wait until he has had a chance to meet with department officials before going over any 'details' with the media.

'Health and Social Services is a very large department and there are many issues within that so I'm certain there will always be topics for discussion and action on any given day,' he said.

'I will not be micromanaging the department. I will be working with the officials and the experts.'

Cathers replaces Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins as the minister of the department. Jenkins left the Yukon Party on Nov. 28 and crossed the floor of the legislature to sit in opposition as an independent.

Jenkins knew the department better than anyone, said Hardy, adding Cathers is 'completely unproven.'

Jenkins' departure also left the position of deputy premier open and the Department of the Environment without a minister.

Fentie has taken on the Environment portfolio.

'Environment is very important to us,' said the premier. 'We have done a lot of work in the area of the environment over the last three years during this mandate.'

The Yukon Party government has suffered a lot of criticism on its stance on the environment.

Fentie, however, says the government is working on a climate change action plan that focuses on green energy, energy efficiency, reduction of the use of fossil fuels, alternative energy, working with the federal level of government and adaptation and mitigation to changes.

'To say there isn't a strategy is erroneous, and we'll continue to work on it.'

Fentie has had a mantra of 'log it, mine it, drill it, pave it and then protect it,' said Hardy.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell indicated having Fentie hold the portfolio is like 'letting the fox guard the hen house.'

Fentie, however, said it's quite the opposite.

'(The environment is) so important to us that we've placed it in the hands of the premier's office,' he said.

Elaine Taylor is the final MLA affected by the cabinet shuffle. She'll add the title of deputy premier to her previous responsibilities of Tourism Minister, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate.

'Elaine has been a tremendous asset to this caucus and this government over the last three years,' said Fentie.

Taylor did not talk to the media about her new appointment.

Fentie said deciding who to promote to cabinet was difficult, because he had 'all those many choices' in his caucus.

'The difficulty here for me as that we had many choices, which gives us a clear indication of the bench strength of this government.

'We see every reason to believe that as a government these new appointments are going to add to governance in this territory in a positive way,' he said.