OTTAWA — Nearly ten years after 24 Sussex Drive was abandoned as the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, taxpayers are still spending tens of thousands of dollars annually to maintain the vacant property. The newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that he is in no hurry to address the deteriorating condition of the building.
In May, Prime Minister Carney stated that the future of 24 Sussex is a matter for the National Capital Commission (NCC) to determine. He emphasized, “It’s not a challenge for today, this month, this year, and it’s probably a challenge for this mandate,” highlighting the various proposals that have been put forth by former prime ministers regarding the renewal of the residence.
The mansion, which has 35 rooms, was built in 1896 and served as the official residence of Canadian prime ministers starting in 1951. It has been designated as a federal heritage site since 1986. However, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the last leader to reside there, as Justin Trudeau, upon taking office in November 2015, moved his family to Rideau Cottage, located on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Currently, Carney and his family also reside at Rideau Cottage.
During Trudeau's tenure, the grounds of 24 Sussex were occasionally employed for social events, but the property was closed by the NCC in 2022 due to “health and safety reasons.” This closure was partly due to a severe rodent infestation that resulted in the discovery of carcasses and excrement within the walls, attic, and basement of the mansion.
Subsequently, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars have been used for the upkeep of 24 Sussex. According to documents obtained through an access to information request, the cost of maintaining the building exceeded $680,000 from January 2018 to June 2023. This figure covers various expenses, including elevator maintenance, janitorial services, boiler maintenance, pest control, and repairs following a tourist bus accident that damaged a stone wall and fence in 2022.
Valérie Dufour, a spokesperson for the NCC, confirmed that the organization continues to incur maintenance costs for 24 Sussex but was unable to provide updated figures. Furthermore, a 2023 document revealed that the Trudeau government has been exploring three main options for the official residence's future.
The first option suggests establishing Rideau Cottage as the prime minister's permanent residence, requiring investment in additional infrastructure for residential purposes. The second option considers building a new, modern facility at 24 Sussex that would integrate limited heritage elements to accommodate both residential and official functions. The final option involves constructing a new residence on NCC-owned land elsewhere in Ottawa.
Dufour indicated that the NCC has presented these options to the government and is currently awaiting a decision. In a letter directed to then-procurement minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Trudeau requested a proposal for new official residence options to be drafted by January 2026, recommending that all responsibilities for the residence, except general maintenance, be transferred from the NCC to Public Services and Procurement Canada.
Andrew MacDougall, who served as director of communications under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, asserted that while Carney should focus on significant issues, maintaining national symbols like 24 Sussex is also crucial. He expressed disbelief over the state of neglect, suggesting that no U.S. president would allow the White House to fall into disrepair. MacDougall criticized Carney for not addressing a problem that previous prime ministers have evaded, especially amid broader government spending initiatives.
Franco Terrazzano, the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, pointed out that the NCC has been ineffective at managing properties while wasting taxpayer money. He urged Carney to prioritize accountability for the NCC in light of rising national debt issues. Terrazzano also contended that taxpayers should not fund official residences for opposition leaders or Speakers of the House, arguing that the prime minister does not require multiple residences.
Katherine Spencer-Ross, president of Heritage Ottawa, remarked that Carney’s hesitance to tackle the 24 Sussex issue is understandable given his overwhelming responsibilities. Nevertheless, she emphasized that prime ministers are stewards of the building, which is not owned by them but by the Canadian populace. Spencer-Ross noted that Heritage Ottawa had previously suggested establishing an external advisory committee to explore options for the residence, a notion that only resurfaced in Trudeau’s letter to Duclos. She advocated for the building's ongoing maintenance and renewal, regardless of whether it continues to serve as the official residence.
