On September 3, the RCMP conducted a raid on a decommissioned school in Richmound, Saskatchewan, to remove members of the Romana Didulo cult. This group, led by Didulo, has gained attention for its controversial beliefs and has been active since the COVID-19 pandemic. The cult had settled in the village earlier in September 2023, leading to tensions with local residents.

Initial reports suggested that the police action was prompted by concerns over illegal weapons on the premises. However, upon entering the building, officers reportedly found no actual firearms, only replicas. Most of the individuals detained during the raid were released without charges, except for Didulo and the building's owner.

The situation escalated due to the cult's refusal to pay sewage bills, which led to significant health and safety concerns. The village mayor had previously posted on Facebook, stating that the local government had to plug the school's sewer drains and cut off the water supply due to the cult's actions. In response, the cult allegedly created a makeshift system to dump waste onto a nearby park and baseball diamonds, prompting health hazards that led to the park's closure.

Following the raid, personnel from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) condemned the building as unfit for habitation. MLA Brittney Senger has raised questions about the delayed response from authorities, asking why it took so long for the RCMP and SHA to act. She noted that coordination between the police and health officials likely required time to plan, especially to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Despite the apparent need for a coordinated response, the Saskatchewan justice minister criticized Senger and the NDP for their comments, labeling them as “unrestrained” and “reckless.” Senger's inquiries highlight concerns about the government's handling of the situation and the broader implications for rural communities feeling neglected by state authorities.