They used to be good friends. After hearing the house of assembly yesterday, you’d think they were sworn enemies.

Eddie Joyce questioned the Premier on the lack of hiring of local workers for the construction of the new hospital and radiation unit in Corner Brook.

Joyce claims his concerns were dismissed by the premier after putting forward a petition on behalf of his constituents seeking more job opportunities for local workers. He called the premier’s failure to address the concerns of local workers “disgusting” and “shameful”.

Joyce says up to 400 people from the region could work on the projects. He says if there is something good for the district, he’ll be the first to offer praise.

But, Joyce says he will not allow the Premier to be dismissive of local workers.

Meanwhile, Premier Dwight Ball says he was not dismissing the workers and claims the issue was simply one of time.

Ball says they are very pleased to be able to make an announcement soon on the replacement of Western Memorial Regional Hospital. He says they want to see as many locals find jobs in our communities as possible and that he was just clarifying his answer to Joyce.

He says the question had two parts, and didn’t get to part two due to a limited amount of time. The Speaker stood on his feet, and when he does, everyone else must sit down.

Ball says it had nothing to do with Eddie Joyce himself, it was simply just clarification and a timing issue.