Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is launching a national design-and-build competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive, the derelict official residence of Canada’s prime ministers.
The competition will be open to all Canadian firms, with the winning team tasked with designing and constructing the new official residence. The list of donors will be made public.
Carney said the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada will provide advice on the competition framework, create an independent jury of experts in architecture, heritage conservation and design.
The Rideau Hall Foundation, a non-partisan national charity organization, will also be running the fundraising campaign across Canada to help with the cost of the restorations.
“24 Sussex Drive will be built by Canadians for Canadians,” Carney said outside the residence Friday morning.
Feedback from former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien will provide feedback throughout the restoration process, Carney added.
The winning design proposal will be announced on Canada Day next year.
Get breaking National news
Carney said the plans to restore the building reflect the need to “preserve our history, protect our heritage and traditions for generations to come.”
“24 Sussex Drive is more than a residence, greater than a mere backdrop to history. It is a symbol of the public office of the head of our federal government, and of the democratic traditions that office represents,” he said.
“I will never in any event live in 24 Sussex Drive. But future prime ministers will undoubtedly need to raise their children here as they lead our country. So, we’ll restore it so they may do so safely and securely.”
Built in 1846, the 35-room mansion was abandoned as the official Ottawa residence for Canadian prime ministers in 2015 by Justin Trudeau.
The annual cost to maintain the vacant property is estimated to be costing Ottawa taxpayers roughly $150,000.
- A wet June in Saskatchewan delays Saskatoon berry season, helping haskaps
- Captain of sunken vessel in B.C. waters remembered as kind, loving, independent
- NDG residents complain about noise, safety concerns after BIXI station installed near homes
- Suspicious death in Edmonton leads to homicide investigation
.jpg?h=article-hero-560-keepratio&w=article-hero-small-keepratio&crop=1&quality=70&strip=all)
The residence has been deemed uninhabitable for a prime minister for years, with Carney currently residing in Rideau Cottage as former prime minister Justin Trudeau did, with dead rodents and feces in the walls, attics and other parts of the property as well as extensive water damage and electrical issues.
A 2022 National Capital Commission (NCC) report also cited water damage as a “major risk”, saying there are “70-year-old galvanized pipes that are rusting from the inside out, currently leaving only a very thin pipe.”
The NCC also estimated in 2022 that the costs of restoration would be around $37 million.
Debate surrounding the landmark has been circulating for years, with the possibility of rebuilding once being an option.
In 2023, then-procurement minister Helena Jaczek told MPs sitting on a House of Commons committee on government operations that Ottawa would have a plan for the future of 24 Sussex by the fall.
However, a government official speaking on background told Global News at the time that Duclos was still being briefed on the matter and said they were “not sure we will respect the deadline that was set by Minister Jaczek.”
Carney believes he is the Czar of Canada.Dont question is opulent entitlements and Rideau cottage not good enough for him. Total Princess
Carneys fundraiser is the epitome of corruption. His cronies willl given money for his new castle and they will get back room deals layer on.
@Marilyn. Funny how Carney expects a new castle to be built for him. Talk about entitlement. As Carney is PM, why don’t you talk to him about rescinding the provided residence for the Leader of the Official Opposition. Why does Carney spend $50k on inflight catering for ever trip he goes on.
Funny how PP (who never had a real job) lives in a huge mansion at Stornaway with 19 rooms, a chef and chauffeur, but he wants 24 Sussex to rot more.
Total PP, handing out coffee on corners.
Harper reported rats in the basement but I think that was his pals like Mike Duffy.
Fix it.
@Tony Fuda: This Russian troll should enlist in Ukraine but he is a coward using this name instead of Peter Belinski who is one of Ukraine’s top fundraisers.
Belinski babbles about us so we donate more drones.
He doesn’t tstupid.hink as he is
@JIM wilson: Learn to spell at the grade three level goof. And grow up beyond what you need to print an “X” next to Danielle. Moron.
Harper lived there for years and let it go to hell. Carney will fix it. Simple.
Harper spent $2.5 million to visit India and got nothing.
Carney’s trip cost $200 G.
Got deals.
Hilarious the stupid redneck religion of cons. (con artists like PP who never had a job)
Making this political over the decades has been cheap tawdry silliness since the PM who authorized the rebuild who never be the one or maybe the party next to occupy it. Like a war memorial. a parliament bldg. it is a national treasure The poor is straw dog argument. Poor is not relevant & unsolvable – the poor today have a lifestyle today unimaginable when I was born over 87 years ago,
Ben has the kneepads out and having a good teste of Carney
@Ben. Quite wrong. Harper lived in the house with no complaints. Not good enough for Carney or Justin Trudeau
Ben loved Carney steaming cream soda.
With the “fundraiser” people are buying acess to Carney. He is on payola.
$5 million has already been spent on renovations now Carney want bids on renovation? Only in Canada…
And the homeless stay homeless . This shows his complete lack of care for the citizens of Canada
Of Brookfield had paid its taxes instead of hoarding their cash above a bike shop in the Caribbean maybe we wouldn’t have to pay for the renovation.
Canada’s current PM deserves to live in a 1978 mobile home!
The first $100 million will be donated by the Canadian Taxpayers and any left over private contribution money will be absorbed by the Liberal Party Coffers.
As you can tell I am a submissive sponge for Liberal Propaganda and love the control the government has over my life
I agree with Jagmeet. So many memories in that room.
That is where Marg and I celebrated the news that the evening with Fidel was a success and she was finally pregnant with child.
At first I was reluctant about it but that beard and the way he spoke of Communism, how could I resist his advances towards her.
He too was a beast with her but a gentle beast.
So glad this historic building will be taken care of. This is leadership. What did Harper do about it? Many say nothing.
Please keep the decor of the main bedroom the same.
That’s where Justin and I made our agreement to keep each other in power and pensions and it was where I allowed him to have his way with me for the first time.
I resisted at first but his flowing hair and freshly plucked eyebrows put me in a trance.How could I resist.
He was a beast with me but a gentle beast.
And I bet one of his buddies gets the contract. The government is nothing more than an assembly line of greed and corruption.
I stand corrected.. Trudeau did not renovate that house..
Trudeau just spent billions to renovate when he was in office!!! Stop spending all this money that we don’t have!
Carney and his buddies will line their pockets on this project no doubt.
While people can’t afford rent or food
Now Carney has come out and said the donors will be public. We should be proud to have an open, transparent democratically elected government led by Carney. Proud to have a leader respected world wide.
Anonymous, I would never want our FN to subsidize a project for us with our own money. It is even more ridiculous than applauding government for doing something they only exist to accomplish.
So much applause for announcing spending so little comparative value when the project is completed due to the idiotic timeframes for completion.
You know what makes good economic sense? Not restricting your own potential by relying on a small group of companies rather than using development as a reason to increase competition.
Our governments give additional time to projects to avoid hogging the the companies contracted to complete the project and it is the most inefficient way of managing projects ever concieved that actually weakens our economy.
Ya know whats a good idea? Making it a fundraising initiative rather open up the expense to scrutiny in Parliament, just like Trump. Because Trump is bad for thee not for he.
@Maureen Douglas, @Jodie Adams – don’t worry, Carney will just fire a few more public servants to cover the outrageous cost. Hopefully you don’t need to renew a passport, apply for EI, expect on-time CPP/OAS or need tax help anytime soon.
How about the Ukraine or the FN’s cough up some cash as they get more than enough to cover these costs.
Of course – what’s a few more million!
@Ben your assessment of Carney as an international financial genius shows us all just how delusional and out of touch with reality you really are. Such a fool to show the world your inability to grasp what is actually happening in Canada.
@Ben what world are you living in. Carney is not a financial genius he is the reason Canada’s deficit is growing higher ever month because of the money he is spending and giving away to other countries also they will never be able to raise enough money to fund this project most Canadians are struggling to live month to month. The taxpayers will be on the hook for this project
Will it have my reflecting pool?
IN Greek mythology, the arrogant Narcissus met his downfall by being obsessed with his reflecting pool.
Dee the moronic russian troll.
Makes up something and giggles while her comrades get killed in UkraIne.
Too cowardly to enlist?
What if nobody signs up. That would be funny.
Does this mean the contributors get to put up advertising all over the place. Oh, wouldn’t that look high class.
Lol
Jodie the russian troll…lol…
Wants our PMs living in a tent.
Classy.
She probably loves trump’s gold statues and reflecting pool.
Rebuild this and this time care for it.
If they fix it up they better keep up with the repairs and not let it get of of hand again
So it’s been uninhabitable for years. It’s mechanicals and electricals are shot. Rat poop is everywhere. It was obviously not a valuable heritage or a culturally or structurally iconic. It was once brand new and we survived its newness. Send in the wrecking crews and fumigators. Then let the builders and architects create something iconic. This time, maybe we’ll value it enough to take care of it.
Canada is so broke under the Liberals they need a “fundraiser” to pay for a new free home for King Carney.
I certainly won’t be giving any money for this “fundraiser”. I already pay more then enough in taxes and the Liberals flush it down the drain with payola and corruption.
I think PM Harper could’ve raised the cash, but good luck getting liberal voters to cough up their hair dye money.
@Garth We can only hope for the best. Carney is doing the best he can with many difficult issues facing our country. In my opinion, he is the best of the three leaders to lead the country. Accepting Carney for me is difficult as he is right of centre whereas I’m very left of centre. But I accept it because it’s all about compromise.
How does renovating and restoring a derelict government property for future Prime Ministers families line up with housing people experiencing homelessness? It looks as though government officials and their families are more important and come before people experiencing homelessness. How is that making housing affordable!
Rats have been in 24 Sussex for decades. Justin Trudeau was raised there.
Very few people accept that at all Government levels there is an assessment of the bids on expenditures by staff. To assume the bid will go to the best friend of the Prime Minister also assumes that all staff involved are ‘in on it’! That assumes everyone involved is dishonest. The expenditure will have to be approved by Parliament; are those who vote in favor of the expenditure also dishonest? Give your head a shake if that’s the way your mind works.
@Ben….Fundraiser? You must be joking. I read it in the article. I have a bridge to sell you also. Will Elbows Up Carney use Go Fund Me? Is he admitting Canada is broke? lol
It’s about time no matter what all the naysayers will I’m sure say.
NO it would never take 37m to renovate a standing structure of this size UNLESS someone is pocketing 25 million or more on the side.New construction (finished) on a luxury home is approx.$750/sq.ft. Sorry $3098/ sq. ft on a RENOVATION reeks of waste and or corruption. Build new for this kind of $$
“Preserve our history, protect our heritage and traditions for generations to come”
The Liberal Party has systematically destroyed everything in that above statement. The hypocrisy out of the mouths of these traitors is beyond belief
@ Garth as noted in the story, there will be a fundraising campaign and generous Canadians will no doubt step up to the plate. As a result, the contribution from government will no doubt be zero or minimal.
Dead rodents,feces and Justin Trudeau.
An outstanding use of synonyms combined in one sentence.
@Ben. Of course Canadians will be paring for a Govt building to be renovated and rebuilt. The NCC gets all its $ from the Feds.
Glad to see no government funds are going into the rebuilding of this historic residence. Carney is an excellent financial manager and a world-renowned leader!
Of course we need a suitable residence for the leader of the federal government. It doesn’t matter if the prime minister is Liberal, Conservative or Green Party. It is an important role that comes with a great deal of challenges and demands of time and energy for the purpose who fills the role. Plus there is security, staff, hosting, work etc. that goes on.
Lee Gunter is simply wrong. He is assuming that our prime minister and Doug Ford have the same motives. It’s simply not true.
Yay, by Canadians for Canadians. Now if only this was always the policy, we might have robust and competetive industries.
Too bad our soaring military bidget seems to go almost exclusively to foreign businesses.
Good, I was there several times in the 60s
Carneys friend will get the contract to restore re-build 24 Susex. Most likely it will be over budget by 100-200%. Another boondoggle by the Liberals
Wast more money f piece s**t