Ottawa's own Heritage Ottawa organization is turning up the pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging his government to finally commit to a clear plan for the future of 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of Canada's prime ministers that has been sitting empty and crumbling for nearly a decade.
A Residence in Limbo
Once the stately home of Canadian prime ministers, 24 Sussex Drive has been vacant since 2015 when it was deemed unfit for habitation due to decades of deferred maintenance. The National Capital Commission (NCC) has estimated repairs could cost anywhere from $30 million to over $150 million depending on the scope of work, a price tag that has made successive governments reluctant to pull the trigger.
Now, with a new prime minister settling into office, Heritage Ottawa sees a window of opportunity. The organization is urging Carney to treat the property as the national landmark it is and commit to a restoration plan that honours the building's architectural and historical significance.
Why It Matters to Ottawans
For Ottawa residents, 24 Sussex Drive isn't just a political symbol. It's a piece of the city's identity. Perched on the banks of the Ottawa River in Rockcliffe Park, the Gothic Revival mansion has been part of the capital's landscape since the 1860s. Locals walk, bike, and jog past it regularly, and many feel a personal connection to the estate as part of what makes Ottawa the seat of Canadian power.
Heritage Ottawa argues that continued inaction isn't just costly. It's culturally irresponsible. Every year the building sits empty, its condition worsens, and the eventual restoration bill grows. The group contends that a clear, funded, and time-bound plan is long overdue, and that Carney's fresh mandate gives him both the political capital and the moral obligation to act.
The Options on the Table
The NCC and various government studies have floated several scenarios: full restoration to its original grandeur, a more modest renovation to make it functional again, or even a complete rebuild on the same site. There's also been public debate about whether the PM should have a single official residence at all, or whether public funds would be better spent elsewhere.
Heritage Ottawa's position is clear, the building must be saved. Demolition or abandonment would set a troubling precedent for how Canada treats its historic public properties.
A Call to Act
With Parliament Hill itself undergoing a massive multi-decade rehabilitation, there's a precedent for investing heavily in Canada's iconic heritage buildings. Heritage Ottawa wants to see 24 Sussex afforded the same commitment.
For Ottawans who pass by the ivy-draped gates on their morning runs or point it out to visiting family members, the sight of Canada's most famous address sitting vacant is a quiet embarrassment. The hope is that Prime Minister Carney will listen, and finally give the old house the attention it deserves.
Source: CBC Ottawa. This article is based on reporting by CBC.
