'I'm of the opinion that when the writ is dropped, every politician is a free agent,' McIntyre-Takhini MLA John Edzerza told the Star this morning.

Edzerza, who currently sits with the Yukon Party and holds the portfolios of Education and Justice, said it is a philosophy that applies to his political future.

Though, he wouldn't say exactly what that future holds when Premier Dennis Fentie does call a territorial election sometime between now and November.

As for where he currently feels he is sitting on the political spectrum, he said, 'I understand in life you need to work in balance.'

Edzerza believes the 'magnitude of social issues' in the Yukon can't be ignored, but a government must also do work on improving the economy.

He doesn't like to speculate too far into the future; however, he doesn't plan on giving up on politics.

'I enjoy politics,' he said. 'I'll be involved for a while yet.'

The 57-year-old was first elected in November 2002 under the Yukon Party banner.

Over recent weeks, however, Edzerza's dissension within the party has gone from rumours to becoming glaringly apparent.

Earlier this month, NDP Leader Todd Hardy revealed Edzerza had approached him about the possibility of switching parties.

The minister was told the NDP would not entertain permitting an MLA to cross the floor to its side unless that MLA was to sit as an independent until the writ was dropped, then try to win the party's nomination in his or her riding, said Hardy.

Edzerza was also notably absent from the Yukon Party's annual general meeting over the weekend. He said he chose to attend the annual native hockey tournament instead.

Now contradictory statements over the possibility of a school in Burwash Landing are coming from Edzerza and the premier.

Edzerza told the community this year's budget would include a $200,000 portable school facility for Burwash. Students are currently bused into Destruction Bay, 16 kilometres away, to attend classes.

Fentie told the Star yesterday the funding is not in the budget.

'The government is not going to move a school to Burwash,' said Fentie.

Fentie said he respected Edzerza's position, but in a democracy, decisions are made by a collective, and the cabinet has decided the funds would be better spent elsewhere.

The funding will be used for an elder's cultural centre, said Fentie, which will also include an educational component for young people.

Edzerza said he has not spoken with Fentie since the contradiction was made.

He added he is not going to make any apologies for promising the people of Burwash a school and he still feels the community needs a school.

'I am not challenging the premier's authority,' said Edzerza. 'I am merely correcting the record. The premier has the authority to redirect funds and I respect that.'

Edzerza said when he made the announcement, he sincerely believed the government would be putting a school in Burwash, and it was a decision that was not made on his own.

It now appears the premier has decided the cultural centre takes precedence, said Edzerza.

'What's important to realize is that Destruction Bay is a government camp that turned into a small community,' said Edzerza. 'For some reason or another, Burwash has been left out in the cold for a lot (of social spending projects).'

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell said '(The contradiction is) indicative that the decision-making process has not been as consultative as it should have been.'

Mitchell further added the incident will likely polarize the two communities.

In essence, Edzerza is throwing down the gauntlet and challenging Fentie, said Hardy.

'Mr. Fentie has lost complete control,' said Hardy. The premier will have the challenge of dealing with 'dissent in a disintegrating cabinet' when the legislative assembly reconvenes Thursday, he added.

Mitchell agreed the apparent tension between Fentie and Edzerza will be 'fascinating' to watch during the legislative sitting.

'(Edzerza) sounds like he's an independent who's sitting with the government right now,' said Mitchell.

He added it's pretty clear the minister isn't happy in the Yukon Party any longer, but doesn't appear to have anywhere to go.

For now, Edzerza said, he is still the Minister of Education and Justice and has a lot of work to do this sitting.

A significant amount of funding is expected to be put toward the Substance Abuse Action Plan in this year's budget and the Safer Communities legislation is also slated to be tabled this sitting.

'I intend to do that until I am directed otherwise,' said Edzerza.

And, if he is removed from cabinet or ousted from the Yukon Party, Edzerza said, 'Life goes on.'

He said he finds the work he gets to do in Education and Justice to be truly rewarding, because it allows for work to be done on 'good things.

'I enjoy the legislature and I'm just going to do the best I can,' he said.

Mitchell said in the past he has found he has agreed with Edzerza on issues related to Justice and the need to address substance abuse. But ultimately, it will be up to his constituents to decide his effectiveness as an MLA, said Mitchell.

MLAs must be accountable to their constituents, their party and all the people who have helped them along the way, said Hardy.

He disagreed with Edzerza, saying there is no such thing as a 'free agent' when it comes to politics and elections.

Between last November's movement of Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins to sit as an independent, the ouster of former NDP MLAs Gary McRobb, who is now sitting with the Liberals, and Eric Fairclough who is expected to sit as an independent, and now the comments by Edzerza, there an indication of something larger occurring, said Hardy.

'There's a bigger issue underlying all this,' he said.

He said it indicates a serious need to truly examine electoral reform and legislative renewal in the Yukon to better meet the needs of residents.