(Ottawa) Transforming Rideau Cottage into the permanent residence of Canada’s Prime Minister would require creating staff offices and other residential amenities, an internal government document says.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resided in this residence located on the grounds of Rideau Hall, residence of the Governor General, since he took office in Ottawa in 2015.
Perpetuating this situation is one of three scenarios considered by the government as the traditional residence of Canada’s prime ministers, at 24 Sussex Drive, is in poor condition after decades of neglect.
The saga over what happens next for the Prime Minister’s official residence unfolds as the Liberals try to assuage Canadians’ concerns about the cost of living and the housing crisis, and as they face criticism from the Conservatives for their expenses.
At the office of the Minister of Supply, Jean-Yves Duclos, a spokesperson recalls the “obligation to preserve monuments of national importance” and assures that the decision concerning the future of “24 Sussex” will not be taken ” lightly “.
This decision has indeed been awaited for years.
The three options being considered include “establishing Rideau Cottage as the permanent residence” of the Prime Minister, according to a heavily redacted briefing note prepared last May for staff at the Privy Council Office — the “Prime Minister’s Department.” The note, marked “secret,” was released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
“Under this option, the (National Capital Commission) would invest to address the lack of residential infrastructure: kitchen, laundry, garage and staff offices,” the briefing note said.
The state of “24 Sussex” led Mr. Trudeau and his family to choose Rideau Cottage when he was elected in 2015, rather than the official residence where he had lived as a child when his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was prime minister .
The National Capital Commission declined to say whether any renovations had been made to address the lack of infrastructure at Rideau Cottage.
Rebuild 24 Sussex, or elsewhere
Another option being considered by the federal government is to completely redo “24 Sussex”. This would require constructing a new “modern facility with limited heritage elements,” such as the building’s stone façade, according to the briefing note.
A 2021 National Capital Commission report on the state of its assets indicated that there were $36 million in deferred maintenance work to be completed at 24 Sussex, not including security or other upgrades. infrastructure level.
The new briefing note indicates that in the third scenario, plans are being made to build a brand new official residence in the upscale Rockcliffe Park neighborhood of Ottawa. We are eyeing a parking lot that already belongs to the National Capital Commission.
Minister Duclos’ office indicated that it was discussing the different options with the Commission and stakeholders. “Knowing that no significant investment has been made for more than 60 years, this ambitious work is underway,” said the spokesperson. We will try to find a “balance between security needs and universal accessibility, preservation of historic character and aspects of environmental sustainability”.
Mr. Trudeau himself admitted in an interview in 2018 that no prime minister wanted to dare spend a penny of taxpayers’ money on this issue.
National Capital Commission spokesperson Valérie Dufour says the NCC is waiting for the government to make a decision regarding “24 Sussex”. Meanwhile, workers are working in the building, which closed at the end of 2022 to address health and safety concerns.
“We removed all the plaster and drywall from the residence, leaving only the frame, because there were ‘designated substances’ like asbestos and lead paint,” said Ms.me Dufour Friday.
“Previously, heritage elements, such as doors and moldings, had been carefully removed, cataloged and stored for possible reintegration. »
The Commission maintains that this work must be carried out regardless of the decision made regarding the building.
The workers are not touching the property’s swimming pool and sauna, installed in 1975, but which “are no longer used,” Ms.me From the oven.
The briefing note says ’24 Sussex’ is in “a critical condition and poses numerous risks to users”, including “a high fire risk” due to an aging electrical system and “pest control issues “.
We add that the cost of making the building safe again is estimated at several million dollars.