Saskatchewan’s main opposition party, the NDP, is urging Premier Scott Moe’s administration to take action by addressing the sewage contamination affecting the air and soil at a building that was forcibly vacated by a cult. NDP legislator Brittney Senger emphasized that a provincial health directive instructing the building’s owner in Richmound to clean up the mess is insufficient.
Senger stressed the necessity for the government to actively assist in the sewage cleanup to help the community recover from the traumatic experience and enable children and families to once again enjoy local parks and playgrounds. The lingering sewage odor has deeply affected the residents, exacerbating the challenges they already faced due to the cult’s presence in their community.
Furthermore, the NDP reiterated its demand for an investigation into the prolonged period it took for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the government to declare the building, which used to be a school, uninhabitable.
In response, Moe’s office stated that they are actively involved in providing support. They highlighted their provision of consultations and guidance to the community on matters such as bylaw development, taxation, and voter eligibility. Additionally, ministry officials have been engaged in numerous discussions with village administration and council members since December 2022, focusing on issues governed by the Municipalities Act. Collaboration with the RCMP has also been maintained to ensure continuous monitoring of the situation.
The situation in Richmound has been a persistent challenge, with residents enduring harassment and intimidation by the Kingdom of Canada cult for two years. The cult’s activities, including sewage dumping, resulted in significant disruptions, with waste overflowing from toilets and contaminating the surroundings, causing an unbearable stench that impacted the daily lives of residents, especially children who refrained from using the local playground adjacent to the cult’s compound.
The RCMP’s raid on the building on September 3 was prompted by reports of a firearm inside. Subsequently, law enforcement seized multiple imitation semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, and electronic devices, leading to the arrests of cult leader Romana Didulo, Ricky Manz, and others. Following their release on bail, specific conditions were imposed, including Didulo being prohibited from returning to Richmound and a no-contact order between Manz and Didulo.
The health authority’s intervention led to the evacuation of the building, deemed uninhabitable, and directed Manz to promptly address the identified discrepancies. The property was officially declared unsuitable for occupation, with an order to connect it to a functioning communal sewage system to ensure public health and safety.
However, questions remain regarding the delayed inspection of the building prior to the raid and the timeline for resolving the issues, which the health authority declined to address directly, stating that only the owner could provide such details. The responsibility to rectify the hazards falls on the property owner under Saskatchewan’s Public Health Act, with the municipality authorized to intervene if the owner fails to comply.
Richmound’s mayor, Brad Miller, expressed concerns over the village’s financial constraints in handling the cleanup efforts independently, emphasizing the need for provincial assistance. Despite past requests for support, the village feels neglected and hopes for more substantial action to address the aftermath of the cult’s presence.
Miller criticized the leniency shown to Manz in addressing the sewage problem, noting insufficient progress despite the health order. Despite the frustrations, Miller acknowledged the gradual improvements and the community’s resilience in facing the ongoing challenges.