'They'll probably stand up and take a lot more notice of (issues in Dawson City) now,' Peter Jenkins, the independent MLA for Klondike, said Monday after announcing his resignation from the cabinet and the Yukon Party.

Premier Dennis Fentie indicated that Jenkins' resignation was related to his more-than $306,000 in delinquent loans. However, Jenkins insisted his departure was related to unresolved concerns in his constituency and Dawson City.

Jenkins told reporters he has tried to advance Dawson's concerns within his now-former Yukon Party caucus without success.

'I thought I could get something resolved,' he said. 'There's priorities, and I guess my requests weren't as high as they should be.

'The issue is certainly surrounding my riding and what's going on there,' he said. 'I can't seem to get anywhere and bring it to a head. I guess I failed.'

Yesterday, Jenkins appeared to make sure the Yukon Party was aware of his new presence on the opposition side of the house. He spent well over two hours asking questions to Highways and Public Works Minister Glenn Hart during committee of the whole.

The general debate surrounded the Second Appropriation Act 2005-06, on the budget allocations in Hart's department.

Jenkins formerly served as the minister of Health and Social Services and the minister of Environment. He was also the deputy premier and the government house leader, considered by many of the territory's other politicians to be Fentie's 'right-hand man' and a political 'heavyweight'.

He spent a significant amount of time laying out the details of projects before asking very direct questions related to funding, project status and government decisions to finance or cancel projects.

His concerns touched on right-of-way clearing along the North Klondike Highway, highway designations, improvement work needed on Front Street in Dawson, the fencing contract for the Dawson City airport, the cancellation of the Dawson City bridge, sewage treatment lagoons, the secondary sewage system for Dawson, the status of Mobile Communications Solutions public safety radio and cell phone system, the Mayo school foundation, structural deficiencies at Copper Ridge Place, the Johnson's Crossing bridge, the cost of the addition to the government building on Quartz Road, roadblocks on the proposed lease for office space for Chief Isaac Inc., ensuring that the Dawson City airport maintains its status as an international port of entry and the Burwash Landing Airport.

Jenkins also made mention of the Dome Road, the postponement of Dawson's multi-level health care facility and the current forensic audit into the town's municipal government's spending.

Hart looked stressed during the long line of questioning. He often placed his hand to his forehead as he stared at his desk, while awaiting for two departmental advisors to write facts on a yellow pad of paper before standing and responding.

The Liberals and the NDP also appeared to present some frustration with Jenkins' extensive questioning.

'The Member for Klondike's comments this afternoon are starting to border on the verge of needless repetition,' Liberal MLA Pat Duncan said on a point of order.

'They are not focused on a line in the supplementary budget, and the member himself has said that the issue at hand is the supplementary budget.

'He has also and often been heard to say, Question asked and answered.' I believe the minister has answered.'

Opposition House Leader Gary McRobb stood only minutes after Duncan and suggested that Jenkins request a briefing from the department rather than continue his line of questioning.

'The opposition parties have to work together to schedule time on the departments, and having the independent member as a wild card is affecting our time,' said McRobb.

But Jenkins responded at one point, telling the committee, 'I can't leave this one alone.... Nothing has really transpired for the last three years.'

Jenkins told the Star this morning from his home in Dawson that his line of questioning wasn't meant to indicate any intention beyond a concern for his riding.

'All the questions were directed at my riding, and what has not been happening here.'

He added that many of the issues presented were concerns he had brought to the table within the Yukon Party.

He also noted that many of his questions were not answered by the Yukon Party.

Jenkins said he fully intends to continue his questioning as debates continue. However, he said he likely won't be asking questions concerning his former portfolios.

He wouldn't reveal what plans he has for future questions.

'Stay tuned,' he said.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell said Jenkins' questions were just an example of the 'kind of division' in the Yukon Party caucus.

'He was very quick to be going after a former colleague,' said Mitchell. 'His level of detail was particularly zealous.

'It is interesting that he has such an interest and concern for the people of Dawson now that he's out of (the Yukon Party) caucus. (Previously) it would appear he was one of Dawson's biggest problems.'

Mitchell said he is currently concerned about Jenkins using large portions of time in general debate, adding that every member has a right to ask questions.

He added that it will be up to Yukoners to judge if what is happening in the legislative assembly is a proper use of time and money.

The NDP did not return telephone calls from the Star this morning.