RCMP working to ease safety concerns around self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada’

A community hall in southwest Saskatchewan had standing room only on Tuesday afternoon as the RCMP addressed safety concerns about the presence of the self-described “Queen of Canada” in the village of Richmound.

Romana Didulo and her followers set-up camp nearly a month ago at a decommissioned school in the small village, which is located two hours west of Swift Current.

The “Canadian QAnon figure,” as she’s described by the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League, came to Richmound after being chased out of Kamsack.

Tensions between the group and residents quickly built up, and Mayor Brad Miller told John Gormley that local leaders have received threatening letters from the group.

Tyler Bates, head of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s South District, said there has been an increased police presence in the village since last Friday. A mobile detachment was set up to alleviate the “angst” and “anxiety” for Richmound’s community members.

“There’s a lot of tension I will say, and certainly a lot of emotion with respect to the presence of this Didulo group,” Bates said, adding that the RCMP is focusing on de-escalating any conflicts.

A screenshot of Romana Didulo, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada,” speaking in a video posted to Bitchute.

Miller, who attended the meeting along with over 100 residents, said the RCMP’s presence has been welcomed, and it has made a difference in people’s mental wellness.

“I think all the people felt that much more secure with (RCMP) around here. There’s a lot of RCMP here,” he told 650 CKOM after the meeting.

“We just have to help each other out and fight through this (and) give the RCMP room to work on their investigations. It’s going to take time,” he added.

Richmound is located 45-minutes away from the nearest RCMP detachment. Bates said the RCMP’s mobile command office is designed for this type of situation, and having officers on site speeds up service delivery and police readiness to respond to any calls.

“We certainly don’t want any continued spillover of emotion between town residents and the Didulo group,” he said.

Bates confirmed an alleged assault was reported close to the decommissioned school after the mobile detachment was set up.

That specific investigation, along with an investigation into the alleged threats, is ongoing, and so far no charges have been laid.

“It speaks to precisely why we’re here,” Bates said. “We need to try and restore some civility, respect and calm in the community of Richmound.”

Bates reassured residents at the meeting there is no information suggesting the group poses any imminent threat to the community.

He added that there is no timeline as to how long the mobile detachment will stay in Richmound.

“We’ll be here as long as it takes to restore some peace and tranquility to the community.”

Bates also confirmed that Didulo and her group were invited to stay at the school by the property owner.

“There’s no authority for the police to walk in and remove those people, any more than there would be if you had guests at your home that were staying for a period of time,” he explained.

Criminology professor calls Didulo’s beliefs “strange”

Christine Sarteschi, professor of social work and criminology at Chatham University, has studied Romana Didulo and her social phenomenon.

“She really has some bizarre beliefs,” Sarteschi told John Gormley Wednesday.

Sarteschi explained that her science-fiction beliefs include a fleet of spaceships with medical pods that people can enter to heal diseases and regenerate limbs.

While there’s no accurate estimate for the number of her followers, Sartescho said Didulo’s online audience has dipped to around 30,000 from a peak of 80,000.

Sarteshi said Didulo and her loyal followers are without a home base, and have been traveling around the country for the last year and half, staying in places offered to them.

“They do a lot of traveling. I think it’s hard on their RV, which is why, especially with winter coming, they’re just ready to settle down.”

As for what brought the group to Saskatchewan, Sarteshi said the group doesn’t always say why or what they’re doing, but have stated their intention to turn the former Richmound school building into a “command center.”