John Edzerza is leaving the Yukon New Democrats without any hard feelings, but says he won't stay with a party that isn't focused on what it needs most.

"I think it's time the party needs to rebuild and get their house in order," the MLA for McIntyre-Takhini told the Star early this afternoon of his resignation from the NDP.

"I spent two years there anticipating things would rebuild but nothing has happened. There is just too much instability."

Edzerza wouldn't elaborate on why he was leaving, saying instead: "I do really have a lot of respect for the traditional culture, and one of our ways of showing respect is not saying anything....

"I want to leave being friends with everybody and upon my discussions with Todd (party leader Hardy) and Steve (Mt. Lorne MLA Cardiff) and all of the staff, I think that I am."

His departure leaves the NDP with just two seats in the 18-seat legislative assembly.

The party formed two governments between 1985 and 1992 under the leadership of Tony Penikett, who now lives in British Columbia.

The NDP also held power from 1996 to 2000 under Piers McDonald, now a local businessman.

Edzerza said he will sit as an independent for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term, then consider what his political future holds.

"I have a lot of ambitions," he said. "Whether I'm in territorial politics or in first nations politics, I'm going to keep working hard."

This isn't the first time Edzerza has changed horses.

He was Justice and Education Minister in Premier Dennis Fentie's Yukon Party government until he bowed out in the summer of 2006.

He sat as in independent until the fall, then ran for re-election under the NDP banner. He won his seat back by a hair's breadth, beating Liberal candidate Ed Schultz, a former grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, by only eight votes.

Fentie dismissed the idea of Edzerza coming back to the Yukon Party today, saying "Mr. Edzerza has a fixation on 'me' not 'we.' There has to be give and take in this business; it's a prerequisite."

He is not expected to go to the official Opposition Liberals either.

"He never approached us, we never approached him," Liberal spokesman Jason Cunning said this afternoon.

"He told (leader) Arthur (Mitchell) - I think it was Thursday or Friday - that he was no longer a member.

"Not good for the NDP," Cunning added.

The NDP said today Hardy will comment on Edzerza's departure when he returns from Vancouver, where he is receiving medical treatment.

Helen Fitzsimmons, manager of administration for the legislative assembly, said Edzerza will be moved to the "independents" office by Thursday.

The NDP won't just be losing a member.

Each MLA receives just under $37,000 a year to pay for staff, research and other expenses; that money is generally pooled within a party.

Edzerza will get about $5,000 from the NDP coffers for the remaining part of the fiscal year, ending March 31, when he will receive his annual cheque.

He will also change seats in the legislative assembly.

Independents would normally sit close to where Hardy currently resides, but Fitzsimmons said there will likely be "a bit of shuffling around."

Fitzsimmons is no stranger to this kind of juggling act. In the six years she has worked at the legislature, she has seen as many people leave their parties.

MLAs Gary McRobb and Eric Fairclough also left Hardy and the New Democrats to become Liberals.

Fentie himself left the NDP to join the Yukon Party, leading it to election victories in both 2002 and 2006.

Edzerza was the first, and loudest, MLA to call for an inquiry into the death of Raymond Silverfox, who died in Whitehorse RCMP custody last year.

He has distinguished himself as an advocate for first nations people in the Yukon.