The Yukon's MLAs will return to the legislature early this year, as Premier Dennis Fentie announced today the spring sitting will start Thursday, Feb. 3.

Normally, the legislators aren't called back until March or even April, but in a news release, the premier gave no explanation of why he is calling his colleagues back so soon.

In the brief release, Fentie promised: "The 2011-12 spring budget will be balanced, in the billion-dollar range, and will significantly replenish the Government of Yukon's savings account.”

According to the release, for the fiscal year 2010-11, the savings account will be reduced and expenditures will be targeted in areas such as physician and hospital claims, social assistance, employee future benefits and environmental liabilities.

It will also include Yukon College and Yukon Hospital Corp. pension solvency issues as well as capital works projects that have progressed more quickly than anticipated, the release states.

No one at the cabinet office was available for comment before press time this afternoon.

The public is invited to attend the opening of the spring sitting starting at 1 p.m.