The opposition NDP are calling on the Sask Party government to commit to a major multi-agency review after what they say are “widespread failures” to act quickly against the occupation of an abandoned school in Richmound.
At a news conference at the Legislature Tuesday, NDP Ethics and Democracy critic Brittney Senger said the “so-called ‘Queen of Canada'”, Romana Didulo, and her followers had “terrorized the community of Richmound for two years until police finally raided their headquarters late last week.”
“They seized 13 imitation semi-automatic handguns, ammunition and a large number of electronic devices. The ‘Queen of Canada’ appeared in court on Monday and was released on bail. This is someone who threatened to kill public officials and terrorized an entire community for two years.”
Senger said people in Richmound and every community in Saskatchewan “deserve to feel safe in their homes and their businesses.” She said they deserved answers and accountability from the government and pointed to a number of unanswered questions.
“Where has the Sask Party and the local MLA Doug Steele been on this issue? Where were the marshals? Why did it take so long for the SHA to step in and why has this been allowed to happen for two years? The people of Saskatchewan deserve accountability and they deserve a future where they feel safe in their homes and their communities.”
In responding to questions from reporters, Senger noted multiple ministries were impacted by the situation in Richmound.
“The Sask Party has been in government for 18 years and frankly, they allowed this to go on for two years.”
When asked if she was asking the Minister of Justice to direct police, Senger instead pointed to the number of ministries impacted.
“This is something that affects multiple ministries. It affects the Ministry of Justice, the SHA, Municipal Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs and many other ministries.”
The previous day, Minister of Justice and Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, Tim McLeod, had told reporters that when there was cause for the RCMP to go in, they acted.
“Certainly, we’ve been watching that situation very carefully, very closely,” McLeod said. “It’s one where I know the RCMP have been monitoring it very carefully, and when there was cause for the RCMP to go in and do an investigation and make arrests, that happened. Now we will allow the process to unfold as it’s supposed to.”
Senger was asked if this was perhaps a problem with the RCMP, or with the Criminal Code and the federal justice system, that the threshold to getting a search warrant was so high that it took two years.
“That is where this review would play such a significant role,” Senger said. She said a multiple ministry review would look at “why the Ministry of Justice, why the SHA, why Municipal Affairs and so many other agencies weren’t willing to take action and step in and put an end to this sooner rather than later. That’s where this review would come into play.”
Province responds
In a statement the Government of Saskatchewan thanked the RCMP for “their leadership in this successful investigation, as well as the Regina Police Service, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit, and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency for their contributions. Investigations can take time, and we appreciate the co-ordinated efforts to ensure safety in our province.”
The government also emphasizes they do “not direct RCMP, or any other police agencies in their daily operations, enforcement activities, nor does it become directly involved in investigations.”
The government also said it was “deeply concerning” that Senger was “asked directly whether she is calling on the Minister to direct police operations, and she refused to say no. Political interference in policing operations should be unequivocally condemned and the NDP’s unrestrained instinct to interfere in independent police matters is not only lost and reckless, it’s particularly shocking.”
“Our Government will continue to fully support the men and women who keep our communities safe, while respecting the independence needed to carry out their duties. Any questions about this investigation should be directed to the RCMP.”
