Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a plan to restore 24 Sussex Drive through a design competition and a fundraising campaign to help cover the cost of the work.
Carney announced on June 26 that the Rideau Hall Foundation will lead the campaign to raise most or all of the money to repair the building, which serves as the official residence of the prime minister but has not been occupied since 2015. The foundation was set up by former Gov. Gen. David Johnston after his term ended in 2017.
Canadian firms will also participate in the design competition for the renovation of the Ottawa building, with the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada setting the competition’s parameters and assembling the jury to choose the winner. The winning proposal will be announced by July 1, 2027.
The residence was built in 1868 and served as the home of 10 prime ministers, but Rideau Cottage has been the prime minister’s temporary residence since 2015. Carney said 24 Sussex had not been shown the “respect that it deserves,” and described it as “literally stripped down to the studs and barely held together.”
The building has suffered from extensive deterioration in recent years, including mould contamination, rodent infestations and outdated mechanical and electrical systems that have raised safety concerns, including fire risk. The residence has undergone partial interior remediation work to address some of these issues.
Before leaving office in 2025, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recommended either renovating the residence, moving to another property nearby, or making upgrades to Rideau Cottage, with the estimated cost of each option being over $100 million.
Carney told reporters that, while he would never live in 24 Sussex Drive, given that his children are grown up, “future prime ministers will undoubtedly need to raise their children here as they lead our country, so we will restore it so they may do so safely and securely.”
The non-profit group Democracy Watch criticized Carney’s proposal, arguing that requesting donations to fund the rebuilding of 24 Sussex was “essentially saying ‘please bribe me.’” The group said such donations could violate the Conflict of Interest Act and provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting public office holders from accepting benefits from those seeking to influence government decisions.
When asked by a reporter if the crowdfunding process for the building could be impacted by foreign influence via wealthy donors asking for government favours, Carney said the list of donors will be made public, and no single donor will be allowed to contribute more than 10 percent of the total fundraising goal.
Carney also noted that former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien have “taken a specific interest” in 24 Sussex and will be offering advice and helping with the financing.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was asked about the property during a July 25 press conference, and replied, “I really don’t think about it at all.” Poilievre said that, after meeting with many Canadians struggling with homelessness or unable to afford buying a home, “I just think the last thing on our mind should be 24 Sussex Drive.”
