PM Mark Carney will move into Rideau Cottage as 24 Sussex remains uninhabitable. Ottawa weighs costly options for Canada’s crumbling official residence.
Prime Minister Mark Carney will soon move into Rideau Cottage, sidestepping the long-dormant and crumbling 24 Sussex Drive, once the traditional home of Canada’s prime ministers.
The Privy Council Office (PCO) confirmed Thursday that Carney — who currently resides in the upscale Rockcliffe neighbourhood — will relocate to Rideau Cottage “in line with security recommendations.”
Located on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s official residence, Rideau Cottage previously housed Justin Trudeau and his family throughout his time in office. Carney’s move follows a federal election campaign that kept him and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, on the road for weeks, leaving them temporarily lodged in an official guest residence.
24 Sussex in Ruins, Still Without a Future
Once a symbol of Canadian political power, 24 Sussex Drive has been vacant since 2015, plagued by dangerous levels of mould, asbestos, lead, and rodent infestations. Years of political hesitation to fund renovations have left the 19th-century heritage property deteriorating into an expensive problem with no clear solution.
In one of his final acts before leaving office, former prime minister Justin Trudeau tasked his public services and procurement minister with developing a plan for a new official residence by January 2026. The mandate includes establishing an advisory committee to assess location, cost, functionality, and security considerations.
Three Costly Options on the Table
According to Trudeau’s directive, three main proposals are under review:
- Rebuilding or majorly renovating 24 Sussex on its current footprint
- Relocating the official residence to a more secure property in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park
- Upgrading Rideau Cottage to serve as the long-term residence for future prime ministers
Early estimates suggest that even the most affordable option would cost tens of millions, with some projections exceeding $100 million.
Political Paralysis Over a Prime Ministerial Address
Successive prime ministers have avoided investing heavily in 24 Sussex to prevent the optics of spending public funds on a lavish official home. As a result, Canada’s equivalent of the White House has become a symbol of deferred decision-making.
With Carney settling into Rideau Cottage — at least for now — the future of Canada’s prime ministerial residence remains uncertain, with long-term planning pushed into the next year.
Stay with Maple News Wire for continuing updates on the future of 24 Sussex and Canada’s shifting political landscape.
