The Saskatchewan NDP has urged the government to investigate the circumstances that led to a former school in the province being taken over by a cult for two years. However, the province clarified that it does not oversee the RCMP or interfere in police matters.
Known as the “Queen of Canada,” Romana Didulo and her followers established their base in Richmound, Sask., a village located approximately 365 kilometers west of Regina, where they resided until a recent RCMP raid on the decommissioned school. The raid was prompted by a report indicating that one of the occupants possessed a firearm.
Expressing concern for the safety of residents in Richmound and across Saskatchewan, NDP MLA Brittney Senger emphasized the need to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. During the operation last week, police confiscated 13 imitation semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, and numerous electronic devices.
Following the raid, 16 individuals were initially taken into custody but were subsequently released without charges. However, Didulo and the building owner, Ricky Manz, were later re-arrested. They are facing charges for failing to comply with an undertaking and intimidating a participant in the justice system.
Didulo was granted bail and instructed to stay in Regina until her trial after a court hearing in Swift Current. Her bail conditions include avoiding Richmound, refraining from contacting specific individuals such as Manz, and refraining from possessing weapons.
At a press conference, Senger highlighted the need for a review into the cult’s prolonged occupation of the former school, representing concerned citizens in the province. She noted that such situations involve various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, Intergovernmental Affairs, Municipal Affairs, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
The SHA recently deemed the building unsuitable for habitation, issuing an order to vacate the premises due to the lack of connection to a municipal sewage system. Senger criticized the delay in addressing this issue, questioning why the health authority did not act sooner.
In response to the NDP’s calls for an investigation, Justice Minister Tim McLeod’s office released a statement asserting that the government does not direct police operations or investigations. The statement condemned political interference in law enforcement activities and affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting police while respecting their operational autonomy.