Carney Launches National Competition to Restore 24 Sussex Drive
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the launch of a national design and construction competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive, the long-abandoned official residence of Canada’s prime ministers. The competition is open to all Canadian companies, with the winning team responsible for both designing and building the new official residence.
Expert Oversight and Independent Jury
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada will provide guidance on the competition framework and appoint an independent jury composed of experts in architecture, preservation, and design. Carney also noted that former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien will provide feedback throughout the restoration process. The winning design proposal is expected to be announced on Canada Day next year.
National Fundraising Campaign
The Rideau Hall Foundation, a non-partisan national charity, will lead a fundraising campaign across Canada to help cover the costs of the restoration. “24 Sussex Drive is being built by Canadians for Canadians,” Carney said outside the residence on Friday morning. He also confirmed that the list of donors will be published.
A Symbol of Canadian Democracy
Carney emphasized the significance of the property beyond its function as a residence. “24 Sussex Drive is more than a residence, more than just a historical setting. 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. The prime minister added that the restoration reflects the need to “preserve our history, protect our heritage and traditions for generations to come.”
Carney confirmed he will not be living at 24 Sussex Drive but stressed the importance of restoring the property for future leaders. “Future prime ministers will undoubtedly need to raise their children here as they lead our country. That’s why we will restore it so they can do so safely and securely.”
Years of Deterioration and Debate
Built in 1846, the 35-room mansion was abandoned by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2015. Since then, the property has fallen into severe disrepair. Reports describe dead rodents and feces in the walls, attics, and other areas of the building, along with extensive water damage and electrical problems.
A 2022 National Capital Commission (NCC) report identified water damage as a “major risk” and noted that the property’s 70-year-old galvanized pipes are rusting from the inside out. The NCC estimated the cost of restoration at approximately $37 million. The annual cost to taxpayers of maintaining the vacant property is roughly $150,000.
Previous Plans and Delays
The future of 24 Sussex Drive has been debated for years, with the possibility of full reconstruction also under consideration. In 2023, then-Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek told MPs on a House of Commons committee that the government would have a plan for the property’s future by the fall. However, a government official indicated at the time that the plan might not meet that deadline.
Carney, like Trudeau before him, has been residing at Rideau Cottage while the restoration plans move forward. The new competition marks the most concrete step yet toward addressing the long-standing issue of Canada’s vacant prime ministerial residence.
