Sask. RCMP arrest 16 people, including self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada’

WATCH: On Wednesday, the self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada’ and 15 others were arrested in Richmound, Sask. Angela Stewart has the details.

Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested 16 people, including the self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada,’ in connection to an ongoing investigation in Richmound on Wednesday.

Romana Didulo, the leader of the fringe conspiracy group, and her followers have been living in an old school in the remote Saskatchewan village of Richmound since September 2023.

Saskatchewan RCMP held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to provide details of the investigation.

Officers executed a search warrant around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the former school after receiving a report on Aug. 25 of someone with a firearm.

“After receiving this report, Saskatchewan RCMP began an extensive investigation. This included careful monitoring of any risk to public safety and to the community of Richmound,” Inspector Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigator with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch told reporters in Regina Wednesday afternoon.

“A team of skilled and experienced senior officers was established to oversee this large and complex operation,” she said.

St. Germaine said the response was made up of RCMP officers from across the province, including help from the Regina Police Service SWAT program, noting that there were over 30 police vehicles and two tactical vehicles at the scene.

“The safety of the public and our officers is the top priority in any situation. We carefully examined the components of the property prior to the execution of the search warrant. This maximized the likelihood of a quick, smooth and safe operation,” St. Germaine explained.

According to St. Germaine, there were about eight RVs parked on the property, with a team of officers clearing the RVs and another team clearing the building.

“Officers arrested 17 individuals, 10 were arrested inside the building, six were arrested in the RVs, and one was arrested outside a residence in Richmond. The buildings were cleared, and all individuals were arrested by 6 a.m.,” she said. “The next phase of the investigation is now in its early stages.”

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In an update from RCMP following the press conference, they confirmed 16 individuals were arrested, not 17.

As of the last update from investigators, RCMP said four replica handguns were located and seized.

Didulo rose to prominence in the wave of alt subcultures that emerged during the protests against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to taking up residence in Richmound, Didulo and her followers were forced out of Kamsack, Sask., on Sept. 13, 2023.

The owner of the former school in Richmound, Rick Manz, was previously charged with assault, resisting arrest, and uttering threats. Earlier this month, the village office closed its doors to the public, citing harassment and intimidation towards staff.

In a Telegram post on Wednesday, Didulo said ‘the corporation police’ were inside the property, calling out, “Get out of the trailer, you are under arrest,” noting that she did not know who they were calling to come out.

In recent weeks, village Mayor Brad Miller has posted photos from the cult’s compound alleging they have been dumping raw sewage onto the school grounds, after being reprimanded for using the town’s sewage infrastructure without paying.

Police vehicles were seen surrounding the compound in photos and videos shared to social media.

According to the RCMP, investigators are in the process of searching the group compound, collecting evidence, and interviewing those arrested.

At this time, RCMP said no charges have been laid.

One resident in the town told CTV News the cult has created worry in the town, leaving residents feeling uneasy.

“I mean, they’ve got surveillance. They had spotlights. They were threatening us and they were always being shady. You couldn’t take your dog for a walk in the park. You couldn’t take your kids over there without them videotaping you,” said Vanessa Johnson, a resident of Richmound.

“I think that this is check, if it’s not checkmate.”

She said the arrest of the group is a win for the community.

“She’s no queen. She’s no cult leader. She’s no one to follow. I really do think that even if they do say this is just kind of giving us a little bit more momentum on our side,” she said. “It’s a win for us.”

Richmound, Sask., is located north of Maple Creek near the Alberta border — about 445 kilometres west of Regina.

- With files from Canadian Press and Angela Stewart