Opposition and Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell doubts the current government, led by Premier Dennis Fentie, will finish its mandate, and is preparing his troops for an election sooner rather than later.

"Five years is a long time," Mitchell told the Star in a recent interview.

"This government looks tired, and I'm not convinced they will go the full term, but that's a decision for Mr. Fentie."

The Liberal party shuffled its critics deck last week in what's being described as a preparatory voyage toward the next election.

The Yukon Party, under Fentie's leadership, was elected to a majority government in 2006, and laws governing fixed terms of five years would see a mandatory election in the fall of 2011.

"It's coming up on the halfway point of a five-year mandate so we thought it would be a good time to give other people some experience," Mitchell said.

"It had nothing to do with whether people were doing a good job. If we were to win the next election, I'd like to have as broad a group of experienced MLAs as I can."

The premier was unavailable Monday and today to comment about his Yukon Party government's stamina.

However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's announcement Monday of 18 Senate appointments - that included Yukoner Dan Lang - put to rest rumours Fentie was angling for a patronage appointment to the nation's upper chamber.

"I smell some more misinformation coming from the Liberal party," Fentie told the Star last week.

"Number two, if I were asked (to serve in the Senate), I wouldn't let my name stand. I'm too busy being premier, so this is not something I would enter into."

Holding a majority 10 of 18 seats in the Yukon's legislative assembly, it's unlikely Fentie would let go of the reins of power just halfway through his government's term.

While four of the five Liberal MLAs saw their critic portfolios shuffled, Mitchell held onto his Finance, Health and Social Services and Executive Council Office critic roles.

"That's basically because Finance and the Executive Council offices are, generally speaking, the responsibility of the Opposition leader because you're criticizing the premier," Mitchell explained.

Both inside and outside the legislative assembly, there is no love lost between Mitchell and Fentie. Throughout the fall sitting, which wrapped Dec. 15, the pair have attacked each other's credibility on a range of issues.

At one juncture, Mitchell demanded the premier resign after his government's failed asset-backed commercial paper investment that lost $6 million and tied up another $30 million indefinitely.

The Liberal leader also dogged Fentie for plans to spend $25 million to convert a proposed multi-care facility at Watson Lake into a full-blown hospital.

In the legislature, Mitchell referred to it as a "sinkhole" and "monument to the premier" as Watson Lake is Fentie's riding.

Not one to shy away from personalizing debate, Fentie dismissed criticism about addressing current economic woes by suggesting Mitchell ask his distant relative, former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, "the architect of the crisis," for advice.

Biting barbs aside, Mitchell said the shuffle of Liberal MLAs will keep Fentie's cabinet on its toes when the assembly reconvenes in March 2009.

Darius Elias, the MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, picks up responsibilities for Community Services and Justice while keeping the Women's Directorate.

Porter Creek South MLA Don Inverarity assumes the critic's role for Tourism, Highways and Public Works and for the Yukon Liquor Corp.

Eric Fairclough, Mayo-Tatchun's MLA, assumes critic responsibility for the Department of Environment, while keeping Education, the Public Service Commission and the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.

Kluane MLA Gary McRobb is now charged with Energy, Mines and Resources, Economic Development and the Yukon Development Corp.