Premier Best sat back in his chair and loosened his tie.
"This incident has the potential to be very embarrassing to our government, especially since two of my most trusted and highest ranking officials are involved.
Personally, I want to go on record and say that I am disappointed to the extreme. I did not want to believe any of this, when I was first approached by Bill and Matty, but the physical evidence is simply overwhelming.
This is an extreme case of conflict of interest and boarders on treason against this government. Both of you used your positions of authority to try to ensure personal gain. We came into office on the platform of complete transparency and with a promise to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue toward the future and follow the paths set by Premiers, such as Danny Williams.
This scandal could destroy this government and the very fabric of the province itself."
"You and your holier than thou attitude," Calvin Parsons sneered.
"This is government and what is the sense of working toward this elevation, if not for personal gain. Not all of us come from wealth like you and Danny Williams. Most of us have known struggle and pain."
"So that makes me what?" Premier Best enquired.
"Privileged. You struggled for nothing."
"I don't understand what you are trying to say, Calvin. Because my family was wealthy, it doesn't give me the right to be where I am?"
"It doesn't give you the right to look down your nose at those of us who had to work for everything we have. Those of us who came up through the ranks, the hard way."
"Oh shut the fuck up," Christine Young sighed.
"You rode into politics on the coattail of your father and his father before him. You ran unopposed in the last election.
And somewhere along the way, be it family loyalty or, I am beginning to think, fucking insanity, you dragged me into this shit."
She looked at the Premier.
"I cannot begin to apologize for all of this. I assure you that I had no idea of the actions that Calvin or this Simon Hirst took. I was brought in as part of a group that were willing to look at the possibility of mineral findings, in Tuckamore Bay, only after the village was relocated. I had no idea about the upgrades or purchase of the village.
This was supposed to be a retirement plan for us, so I thought. I had no idea that Calvin would take the actions that he did."
"What did you think we were doing?"
Christine turned.
"You told me that everything you were doing was above board and legal and I have emails to prove that. At no time did you inform me of the use of force."
"I did what I had to do, given the circumstances."
Christine closed her eyes and shook her head.
"You and your family and that fucking stupid feud that you have between Parsons Pond and Tuckamore Bay."
She took a deep breath.
"Fucking inbreds," she swore.
"Remember, Christine. You come from the same inbreeds."
"Many times removed. Thank the fuck for that."
She looked at Premier Best.
"I assume you have decisions made?"
Premier Best turned to Matty.
"A lot depends on the course that Tuckamore Bay wants to take. Matty?"
Matty closed her briefcase, after taking out a paper.
"The anguish and pain that you have cause Tuckamore Bay is beyond redemption. You put the future of an amazing little village in jeopardy because of greed. With no regard to the residents that live in and love the village."
She passed the paper to the Premier.
Premier Best looked at the paper. It was a recipe for jigs dinner.
"This seems fair."
He passed the paper back to Matty.
"Basically the village has agree that whatever disciplinary measures I invoke will be acceptable to them."
He looked to lawyer Lomond.
"You prepared the documents, as I asked?"
"I did, Mr. Premier."
He took papers and passed copies to everyone, including Commander Anderson.
"These documents are basic and simple. For the purpose of record, I shall read aloud."
He started to read the document.
"We, the undersigned, Calvin Parsons and Christine Young, admit to our involvement in the illegal attempt to relocate the village of Tuckamore Bay, located on the Great Northern Peninsula.
This attempt was made as to further personal gains on both our parts and fall into the government's conflict of interest law, which states that no member of a sitting government shall use his position or power to influence, acquire or solicit business, property or persons, for their personal gain, while they reside in a position of standing in a sitting government body.
With this in mind, we, Calvin Parsons and Christine Young, agree to turn over any and all documentation, findings, samples, and correspondence, that in any way, shape or form applies to Tuckamore Bay and the possibility of mineral findings located near Tuckamore Mountain. This also includes any said materials that were secured from one Betty French, pertaining to samples obtained by her late husband, Xavier Parsons.
Calvin Parsons and Christine Young also agree not to have, or try to influence, any business dealings with residents of Tuckamore Bay or the business known as Tuckamore Bay Ltd. Neither shall be granted business licences of any sort, by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, nor shall they be allowed to be a part of any business operating within the boarders of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Calvin Parson will immediately resign from his position as Minister of the Environment. He shall also agree that at no time in the future, will he endorse, support or run for any political office, be it municipal, provincial or federal. He also agrees to cut all ties with his current political party. He will keep his provincial pension, if applicable, but will lose all other claims to any benefits that his position would have entailed.
Christine Young will immediately resign from her position as Deputy Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. She shall also agree that at no time in the future, will she endorse, support or run for any political office, be it municipal, provincial or federal. She also agrees to cut all ties with her current political party. She will keep her provincial pension, if applicable, but will lose all other claims to any benefits that her position would have entailed.
Both Calvin Parsons and Christine Young are banned under a confidentiality agreement from discussing in any way shape or form, including verbal or electronic, the conditions of this agreement or anything with reference to Tuckamore Bay, the relocation of Tuckamore Bay or the possibility of gold findings in Tuckamore Bay or Tuckamore Bay Mountain for a period of ten years. After such time a request may be made to the sitting government of Newfoundland and Labrador to have the confidentiality agreement and ban, lifted.
If Calvin Parsons and Christine Young both agree to the above, no further investigation or possible criminal charges will be laid, concerning Tuckamore Bay or the incidents of October 5th, 2020.
If either or both parties disagree, either or both shall be immediately taken into custody, by a representative of the RCMP and will face any and all charges presented by the residents of Tuckamore Bay or Tuckamore Bay Ltd.
The terms of this agreement take effect immediately and upon signing, either Calvin Parsons or Christine Young, or both, shall be escorted to their respective offices, where they shall be allowed 30 minutes to gather their personal belongings and vacate the premises of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, after which, either, or both, shall no longer be allowed to enter any provincial or municipal government offices.
This document shall only be deemed legal and binding only if signed by all parties, as listed below.
Premier Daniel Best
Calvin Parsons
Christine Young
Matilda Dove
Bill Williams
Once all five parties have signed, originals shall be kept in the Provincial Government Archives, with copies distributed to all five individuals listed above.
Signed and endorsed this 19th day of October, 2020.
Witnessed by:
Norman Lomond, Chief Council for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Commander Peter Anderson, Commander of the St. John's combined RCMP."
Lawyer Lomond looked at the Premier.
"You have the floor again, Mr. Premier."
Premier Best looked at Calvin Parsons and Christine Young.
"You were two of my most trusted officials and ministers. This pains me more than you will ever know, but my first loyalty is to the people of our province, of which the residents of Tuckamore Bay are a part."
He took a deep breath and signed his document.
Bill and Matty followed and with a little hesitation, so did Calvin and Christine.
Ten minutes later, all 7 copies were signed and passed to lawyer Lomond.
"I will get copies made immediately, Mr. Premier."
"I am truly sorry that it came to this, Calvin. Christine. But the both of you broke the law and as such ..."
Calvin stood up quickly, knocking over his chair.
"Whatever. Let's just get this fucking bullshit over with."
He leaned on the table and stared at Bill and Matty.
"You know this is not over with."
Matty smiled.
"I didn't expect any less from you, Parsons."
Commander Anderson had brought four RCMP Officers into the conference room.
"These Officers will accompany both of you to your offices. You shall only be allowed to take personal items, that you can prove are personal. Any items of doubt shall remain and be determined by officials of the government as to their ownership.
You have thirty minutes. If you have not vacated the building and grounds of this Government building in thirty minutes, you shall be arrested and charged with breach of agreement, which can deem the agreement null and void."
"Fucking bullshit," Calvin snapped, as he quickly left the room, followed by two male officers.
Christine Young stood slowly.
"I am truly sorry, Daniel. I know I am guilty by association, but please let me assure you and Ms. Dove and Mr. Williams, that I was not one hundred percent keep in the loop."
"I guess we are both guilty of that Christine," Premier Best nodded, as he stood.
Christine walked around the table and gave him a quick hug.
"You take care Daniel."
She left with a male and female RCMP officer, with Commander Anderson, in tow.
Premier Best sat again, between Bill and Matty.
"I am truly sorry. On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I offer my deepest apology and my assurance that Tuckamore Bay is safe and as of the 31st of December, it will officially be off the relocation list and it will be incorporated as, I believe, the smallest incorporated city in Canada.
Unofficially, of course, it is off the list, but even I have to follow government protocol and we all know how slow government can be."
Matty took one of Premier Best's hands in hers.
"Thank you Daniel and I am so sorry that it had to come to this. I know you have lost two good people."
Premier Best took a deep breath.
"Well, Calvin could be a pain in the ass at times, but Christine was a good woman. She will be missed."
"Wasn't there any other way to discipline her?" Bill wondered.
Premier Best shook his head.
"It was an all or nothing situation, Bill."
He laughed slightly.
"I don't suppose either of you would like to join my government, would you?"
Matty kissed the Premier on her cheek and closed her briefcase.
"Not a fucking chance. We have enough on the go right now, as it is, but, we would love to take you and Wendy out for a nice dinner tonight.
Anywhere you want."
Premier Best sat back in his chair.
"I have a better idea. Lets order in a huge feast of Mary Brown's Chicken and have a quiet night at home. I still have a couple meetings to do and I have to prepared an official statement about Christine and Calvin.
After all that, I want a quiet night home, with my new friends and then tomorrow, if the weather permits, I will take you both around the area, on a bit of a sightseeing tour, before you go back to the Bay."
Bill nodded.
"Sounds like a plan, but it is our treat."
Premier Best fixed his tie, as he stood.
"Most definitely and I would love a nice bottle of scotch and some fancy red wine. If you would be so kind."
Bill hugged the Premier.
"I think that can be arranged."
Premier Best took a deep breath.
"Why don't the two fo you go first? I need a couple minutes.
And if I might take a suggestion, go straight through the building and outside. I will have my driver out front. Avoid any questions, as I am sure there are already rumors flying through this place. It can be as bad as the TT, back in the Bay."
"You gonna be okay?"
Premier Best nodded.
"Go. I will see you both later."
Bill and Matty left.