Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government continues to assess options for 24 Sussex, the crumbling, mouldy official prime minister's residence that badly needs millions of dollars in repairs.
Trudeau — who has opted to live on the grounds of Rideau Hall with his family since being elected in 2015 — said today that while the home is historic, it's been neglected by generations of prime ministers and is now in terrible condition.
Speaking in French, Trudeau said the government is talking to the National Capital Commission, the Crown corporation that oversees official residences, to decide what to do with the long list of repairs and renovations needed at 24 Sussex, and how to deal with security concerns at the official residence.
"The building systems at 24 Sussex Drive have reached the point of imminent or actual failure and require replacement," warns the report.
"The age and condition of the electrical systems poses a fire hazard, and the plumbing systems have failures on a regular basis. The building has no permanent air conditioning system; window air conditioners are run in every room in the summer, which poses a security risk and is disruptive and costly. Repairs and/or upgrades are complicated due to the presence of asbestos, lead and mould throughout many of the interior finishes."
The commission said it would need $175 million over 10 years to restore all six official residences — including Stornoway, the official residence for the leader of the Official Opposition, and The Farm, the home of the Speaker in Gatineau Park.
NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said he's been trying to make a case to federal officials about the need to fund those repairs.
"I've been speaking to contemporaries and counterparts in the Government of Canada to make sure they understand that the board is preoccupied with this file," Nussbaum told reporters after a board meeting Thursday. The residences were later discussed by the board behind closed doors.
"We need the necessary funding in order to make sure that we can keep these very important and historic buildings up to the state that Canadians expect."
Read this story in its entirety on the CBC NEWS website.
Related Reading:
Heritage Ottawa: Letter to PM | 24 Sussex Drive | December 3, 2019
It's Time to Get Moving on 24 Sussex | Heritage Ottawa, January 17, 2019
Tax Advocate, Heritage Expert Agree: Don't Let 24 Sussex Fall into Further Disrepair | CBC Ottawa, Jan.16, 2019
Heritage Ottawa's Leslie Maitland Discusses 24 Sussex / Rideau Cottage with CBC Television | Nov. 2, 2015
Is There A Better Way to Fix 24 Sussex? | Ottawa Citizen | November 27, 2015
The Plan for Canada's Capital 2017-2067 | National Capital Commission