RCMP say 16 people, including self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada” Romana Didulo, were arrested Wednesday in southwestern Saskatchewan.
Followers of Didulo, who has promoted various conspiracy theories, set up a “Kingdom of Canada” compound in an old school in Richmound, west of Regina, in 2023.
Insp. Ashley St. Germaine said Mounties learned last week that a person was in possession of a firearm at the property and a police operations team was organized.
A search warrant was executed and the 16 were arrested in the building, in some of the eight recreational vehicles parked at the site, and at a home in the village.
Four replica handguns were found, she said.
Investigators continue to collect evidence and conduct interviews. But so far, no charges have been laid.
“Legally, we have 24 hours to either lay a charge, have a person before the courts or release them,” St. Germaine said.
“If we release individuals without charges, that doesn’t mean that they may not be charged down the road. What that means is we potentially don’t have enough evidence to charge them right now.”
RCMP said three dogs on the property were seized in good condition and taken to a shelter.
Fire safety officials also are investigating because modifications were made to the building.
“The RCMP could potentially put conditions on people not to go back to the (building),” St. Germaine said. “However, no charges have been laid, and those conditions cannot be laid unless somebody is under a court process.”
St. Germaine said she couldn’t identify the others who were arrested. Didulo livestreamed her arrest in a video and identified herself.
“I expect that some of those people are associated to the Kingdom of Canada, but I don’t have confirmation at this point on the details,” the officer said.
A video shared on social media shows officers in tactical gear and bursting into a room where Didulo is standing.
“Leave the phone down. You’re under arrest,” says an officer.
Dogs are heard barking while an officer walks Didulo out of the room.
Many in Richmound have complained about the group being disruptive. In July, the village office closed its doors to the public outside prearranged appointments, citing harassment and intimidation towards staff.
Mounties also previously charged the owner of the property with assaulting two officers.
St. Germaine said RCMP were aware of past issues with the compound but couldn’t go into the building until they had enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.
“I can’t speak to the specifics of how this particular complaint came in,” she said. “There is investigational integrity that I have to respect in that court process.”
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