The Yukon government has arranged to spend another $223 million without the approval of the MLAs in the legislature.

The opposition believes that shows the Yukon Party doesn't care about the legislature.

But the move is just a safety net, according to Premier Dennis Fentie.

The government announced Wednesday afternoon it had Commissioner Jack Cable sign a $223-million special warrant for spending at the start of the new fiscal year, Apr. 1.

The warrant gives the government the authority to spend money without getting the legislature's approval.

This is the second special warrant Fentie has invoked in the last two months.

Traditionally, special warrants are supposed to be used in extraordinary circumstances when the legislature cannot or will not be sitting, such as during an election campaign.

Both opposition parties used a specific word to describe the government's action.

'It's tremendous contempt of the legislature,' NDP Leader Todd Hardy said Wednesday.

'This is just their absolute contempt for the Yukon legislature,' agreed an unhappy Liberal Leader Pat Duncan.

The house will reconvene next Thursday, just six days before the end of the fiscal year on Mar. 31.

Traditionally, the new budget is not yet passed each year when the fiscal year ends. If there is no budget of any kind, the government has no authority to spend any money.

To keep from being powerless to spend any money, each year the government passes an interim supply bill before Apr. 1. The bill gives the government authority to spend money until the budget is passed.

A press release issued Wednesday to trumpet the special warrant indicates it was created in case the opposition parties prevented the passage of the interim supply bill.

'The special warrant's just a safeguard,' Fentie said this morning.

He said the warrant was obtained based on past experience.

Last fall, when the government wanted to table a supplementary budget and then immediately debate it, Duncan said no. Unanimous consent of the legislators was needed to begin that debate right away.

However, both opposition parties can't understand why Fentie would think they would halt the bill.

Duncan said she told the government a few weeks ago it should have an interim supply bill ready to go since it's reconvening the legislature so close to Apr. 1. She also pledged to pass it quickly through the house.

Hardy said the New Democrats made the same promise.

The two opposition leaders don't think the warrant is a safeguard.

'You can table it on Monday and pass it on Wednesday worst-case scenario,' said Duncan.

Hardy said ultimately, Fentie has a majority in the legislature and could pass the bill.

'We can't stop the interim supply bill. He's playing silly politics.'

But the opposition could filibuster until the end of each day until Apr. 1, keeping it from a vote by continually talking.

'We would never (block it),' said Hardy. 'He knows that.'

Blocking the interim supply bill would mean various groups would not get their annual funding right away and employees would not get paid.

Duncan believes the real reason for the special warrant is that the government is disorganized, which is also why she thinks the legislature's opening has been a month later than normal.

Fentie said the government will bring forward the interim supply bill and if it passes before Apr. 1, the special warrant would be rescinded.

The premier made sure he got the warrant in right under the wire. Territorial law says a special warrant cannot be obtained if the house will be reconvened within seven days.

The warrant was signed Wednesday, eight days before MLAs take their seats.