HERITAGE OTTAWA, By Leslie Maitland

24 Sussex is at a crossroads. The building, erected in 1867-68 for an Ottawa lumber baron, became the official residence of Canada's Prime Ministers in 1949 and has housed every Prime Minister since. But will it house the newly-elected Prime Minister immediately?

The building has been overdue for critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades for some time. Some have suggested that the structure should be torn down and replaced by a new architectural showpiece, based on the argument that changes made in 1949 altered the building's original character.

But history is not a snapshot in time; it is built-upon with each successive layer of a building's use and change. The window on heritage evaluation is set at 40 years, which means that developments since 1949 are also part of this building's important history.

24 Sussex is designated as a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its direct association with Prime Ministers of Canada, its status as a nationally known landmark, and the impact of the house and its grounds on the character of the surrounding area.

The ideal opportunity to restore 24 Sussex exists right now, after one occupant moves out and before the new occupant moves in. Let's hope that the new Federal Government does the right thing in proceeding to finally restore this significant heritage building, which belongs to all Canadians.

Leslie Maitland is an architectural historian and Past-President, current Vice-Chair of Heritage Ottawa.