The Cult Queen of Canada (Uncover S36 E3): "The Other Side"

Release Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Rachel Brown (CBC)

Episode Overview

In this gripping third episode of "The Cult Queen of Canada," host Rachel Brown investigates the deepening rift in the small Saskatchewan town of Richmound as the community grapples with the presence of Romana Didulo—a self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada” fueled by QAnon conspiracies—and her followers. As tensions escalate, Brown explores not just the struggle to oust the cult from local property, but also the emergence of surprising hometown support for the group. The episode dives into the motivations of both the cult’s local enablers and the anti-cult activists, revealing how a battle over bylaws and beliefs exposes the town’s long-festering social and economic divides.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Richmound Attempts to Expel the Cult (00:42 – 05:14)

• Bonnie Lingerfelter, a bylaw officer, is summoned after dangerous propane tank use is caught on a cult livestream.
  • Quote: “Running propane inside is dangerous, a fire hazard... more importantly for Brad, it’s a bylaw infraction.” (01:12, Rachel)
• As Bonnie tries to inspect the site, cult members begin filming her, and locals shout at her to leave—revealing divisions even in opposition to the group.
  • Quote: “There was two or three half tons parked across the road... hollering. I even heard F bombs.” (02:51, Bonnie)
• The cult abruptly moves their RVs off the school grounds, spurring celebration in anti-cult circles—until it’s discovered they’re just hiding nearby on land owned by local Tom Tookshore.

2. Tom Tookshore and the Limits of Small-Town Solidarity (05:14 – 09:09)

• Tom, a former mayor, provides sanctuary to the cult out of neighborly goodwill but is unaware of the backlash this will cause.
  • Quote: “There’s a lot of propaganda out there how dangerous that group might be. I haven’t followed it... but from what I’ve seen of the people that are here, that doesn’t exist here.” (05:59, Tom)
• His attempt at hospitality rapidly sours when local farmers, opposed to the cult, intimidate the encampment overnight—firing flares and circling RVs—causing Tom to evict the group amid his own personal tragedy.
  • Quote: “There’s flare guns fired at them... People are circling them in my field all night long and harassing them.” (07:57, Tom)
  • Quote: “I was shocked out. My wife was dying. She was a week away from dying. And my patience was pretty thin...” (08:50, Tom)

3. The Rise of Local Cult Support: Melinda Fisher’s Transformation (10:04 – 29:40)

• Melinda Fisher emerges as a surprising cult ally—first described as cantankerous, combative, and the creator of local Facebook drama, but then revealed as intimately involved with Romana’s group.
  • Quote: “When Melinda moved here, it all went for shit.” (12:37, Townsperson)
  • Quote: “She’s not a person that you can deal with or talk to. It’s just like a little kid.” (12:40, Tom)
• Melinda’s backstory: after returning home to her family’s farm, she quickly becomes mired in disputes with council over a fence, fueling her sense of local corruption and grievance.
  • Notable Facebook group: “Richmound and Area Scoop”—where she posts “nasty stuff… really ugly stuff… It was ugly. But you know what? They just wouldn’t quit.” (22:30, Melinda)
• Melinda’s opposition to town “elites” mirrors the cult’s language about ruling cabals, cementing her bond with Romana’s followers.
  • Quote: “We call them the elites of town... because nothing touches them.” (23:21, Melinda)
• Describes herself as not a cult member but says: “At this point, I call them my friends… She [Romana] hasn’t done me any harm.” (26:31 and 26:38, Melinda)
• Rationalizes her support as siding with the “hopeless” and being drawn to Romana’s promises of a new order.
  • Quote: “Queen Ramona is giving these people some hope... That’s a good world out there. I don’t want to have to pay income tax.” (27:05, Melinda)

4. The Personal Toll and Escalating Conflict (29:40 – 34:04)

• Brown probes Melinda’s cognitive dissonance—her denial of the cult label despite her close ties and official “minister” title—and notes the real impact of the group’s influence.
  • Example: An elderly Quebec couple losing their home after refusing to pay taxes under a cult “decree.” (30:31)
• Tensions rise as the cult returns to the school, emboldened and flush with local support, leaving anti-cult residents demoralized and drained of resources after extensive legal expenditures.
• Former teacher Shauna, once a novice activist, grows more defiant:
  • Quote: “So I made a beeline to town. I was furious. And I just drove right up... Where’s the real queen who would actually talk to the people in the place that she’s occupying?” (32:55, Shauna)
  • Quote: “Ramona, go back to the Philippines. I suppose they don’t want you there either.” (33:18, Shauna)
• The anti-cult side becomes more radicalized as well, with some expressing willingness to take drastic action to reclaim the town.
  • Quote: “To hell with it... I’m taking my town back.” (34:04, Local)
  • Quote: “I would burn the school down.” (34:13, Local)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom on the community’s split:
  “We showed a side of this community that I never thought ever existed, which is what the anger and the violence... just our own community.” (09:29)
• Melinda explaining her grudge:
  “My experience? And a nightmare.” (19:17)
• Melinda confronting town corruption:
  “They’re dishing out everywhere else, but they can’t pay me for my fence repair... Wasting our money when our village is already going broke.” (20:51)
• Facebook drama escalation:
  “I posted some nasty stuff, some really ugly stuff... Like, maybe you should have gotten pregnant so young. Maybe we would have gotten an education... It was ugly.” (22:30)
• Host Rachel on Melinda:
  “It’s interesting to hear her argue she’s not a cult member when she’s literally hosting them on her land and... is a minister in Romana’s fantasy government.” (26:48)
• Local on town fear:
  “I fear some of the locals more than the cult. They’re more extreme, they’ve been far more vocal.” (34:18)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• 00:42: Bonnie the bylaw officer arrives at the scene
• 03:44: Cult leaves the school grounds, apparent victory for the anti-cult group
• 05:14: Introduction of Tom Tookshore and his initial support for the cult
• 07:57: Flare-gun intimidation incident, cult forced to leave Tom’s land
• 10:04: Transition to Melinda Fisher’s story
• 12:37: Local opinions on Melinda
• 17:43: Melinda finally agrees to a phone interview
• 19:17: Melinda calls her experience in Richmound “a nightmare”
• 22:30: Melinda’s Facebook group and escalation of community divisions
• 23:21: "Elites" versus "seniors" terminology explained
• 26:31: Melinda denies being a cult member but calls followers friends
• 27:05: Melinda explains why people are drawn to Romana’s promises
• 30:31: Example of financial harm from following the cult
• 32:55: Shauna’s furious confrontation as the cult returns to the school
• 34:04: Anti-cult side grows radical

Summary & Takeaways

This episode paints a searing portrait of a small town divided not just by an invasive cult leader, but by old resentments, class divides, and a hunger for belonging. As local allies step forward to give the cult sanctuary, the distinction between insurgents and community protectors blurs, revealing how conspiracy can thrive where social wounds are left untended. The battle lines in Richmound are now as much about personal history and power as about ideology or truth. And with the cult’s return, the fight for the town’s soul seems destined to get even uglier.

Next Episode Preview:
The story promises to escalate further, with both sides hardening their tactics and the town teetering on the edge of deeper conflict.

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