REGINA — The sewage-soiled headquarters of a cult that had long frustrated residents in a Saskatchewan village remains closed despite the cult leader being freed from criminal charges, the province’s health minister said Thursday.
Jeremy Cockrill told reporters the decommissioned school in Richmound that housed Romana Didulo and her so-called Kingdom of Canada followers is vacant.
“From a public health perspective, nobody should be in there until the deficiencies are remedied,” he said.
“And as far we’re aware, those deficiencies have not been remedied.”
Crown prosecutors stayed charges this week against Didulo, who calls herself the “Queen of Canada.” She was accused of failing to comply with an undertaking and intimidating a justice system participant.
In September, police raided the cult’s home in the decommissioned school in Richmound, west of Regina. They obtained a search warrant on reports that someone had a firearm.
Officers took 16 people into custody and seized imitation weapons.
The building was later ordered closed for health reasons, as open sewage could be seen bubbling on the grounds.
Cockrill said there have been no discussions to demolish the building, but cabinet ministers Michael Weger and Eric Schmalz will speak with village leadership and residents about next steps.
Asked if the province is doing something to prevent the cult from setting up elsewhere, Cockrill said the province will act accordingly if other health issues in buildings arise.
“If that’s the case anywhere else in the province where, you know, there needs to be a public health investigation, certainly the (Saskatchewan Health Authority) will do that,” he said.
Didulo said this week in a video message on social media the stay “marks an important moment.”
“I’m actually able to go outside without any types of restrictions. Isn’t that incredible?” she said.
Stayed charges can be reactivated within a year by the Crown.
Justice Minister Tim McLeod told reporters Thursday he respects the decision of public prosecutors.
“I understand that they have recently come to the conclusion that there’s no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction, so they’re not proceeding,” he said.
McLeod also encouraged the village to look at a provincial law that allows communities to apply for court orders to have nuisance properties demolished.
Hugh Gordon, the Opposition NDP’s associate community safety critic, said the village can work with law enforcement to put a restraining order on Didulo to prevent her from returning.
He said it would be hard to stop her from setting up in another community, but added, “I would imagine the RCMP and other police agencies got these folks on their radar.”
The owner of the former school, Ricky Manz, who is also a follower of Didulo, still faces several charges including assaulting a police officer, mischief and uttering threats and is scheduled to return to court in April.
Richmound Mayor Brad Miller has said he’s disappointed and angered by the stay. He has said cult members were a public nuisance for two years, barricading the compound, setting up security cameras and erecting bright LED lights facing the main highway.
The village office eventually closed its doors to the public outside prearranged appointments, citing harassment and intimidation towards staff.
Didulo gained prominence during the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” occupation in Ottawa, where she tried to burn the Canadian flag.
Claiming to be the “Queen of Canada,” she characterizes herself as “the custodian of Earth and humanity.”
She calls herself an alien from another planet who can walk on water and encourages thousands of followers via social media to stop paying their bills, taxes and debt under “natural law.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
