I can’t help but think all the years of talk about the political risk for a PM of making a decision about 24 Sussex is overstated, especially if people knew the current state of the building, the security concerns around it and if Carney was clear he would never live in the new building (if that’s the decision that’s made).
Obviously, the decision needs to be “reasonable” – we’re not building the White House here – but I think people expect the prime minister’s residence to be habitable.
CaptainCanusa on
I think the tables have really turned on this issue in a very telling way.
Ironically, the thing that PM’s haven been avoiding because they thought it would look bad, is now the thing I think Canadians would love to see. ie. Showing a boldness and willingness to just get projects done.Â
I might be wrong about this, but I think Carney could announce he’s going to rebuild Sussex (or whatever) and talk about how it’s going to be great point of pride for our country and people would love it. And it puts the other parties in a very awkward position of having to support him or declare they think our country doesn’t deserve to have a home for the PM we can be proud of.
Elegant-Tangerine-54 on
Move the PM to Stornaway.
Canada is the only parliamentary democracy I know of that provides free housing for the Leader of the Opposition.
SnowyEssence on
Just fix it. It’s just embarrassing at this point
We know why Trudeau didn’t want to fix it because it was a convenient excuse for him to stay separated from his ex-wife.
Feynyx-77-CDN on
Embarrassing. Use the money currently spent on Stornoway to renovate the PMs house. Or boot the opposition leader out and give Stornoway to the PM.
Sad_Imagination6012 on
It’s been eleven years. For God’s sake, just tear it down and build a new one. At this point, I’m willing to support any PM who plainly does what’s needed on this issue and I don’t think I’m alone. The political risks have been inverted. I don’t think they’re in as much danger they think.
Any MP who attacks the PM that tries to fix this mess deserves the country’s enmity.
jello_sweaters on
FFS this has always been simple.
Sign off on the funding to make the repairs, and park the funds in escrow until the day after the next election.
Current resident doesn’t get a shred of benefit from that money unless the voters send them back for another term.
Done.
kank84 on
I wish they would just get on with fixing it. The money it’s going to cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things, and it’s an embarrassment at the moment. Can you imagine the UK letting 10 Downing Street or the US letting the White House sit in such a state of disrepair for this long (well, maybe they would the White House based on recent events).
ShadowPages on
I’ll leave the engineering and security issues around 24 Sussex to the experts – as far as I’m concerned it’s long past time to make a decision and spend some money for the PM’s residence – whether it stays at 24 Sussex, or we turn the existing 24 Sussex facility into a historical place and build elsewhere.
The hand-wringing over costs is ridiculous.
darth_henning on
Honestly just gut it, renovate it, and build any additional expansions needed. It’s a representation of the government.
Easy way to avoid the “optics” issue that has had many PMs hold off is to just agree that the rebuilt building will only be used following the first election after the renos are completed.
Select-Flight-PD291 on
Have a Senate Committee decide on the budget and everything so it doesn’t seem like politicians are making a luxury mansion. There are probably a lot of security considerations and secret information so having a citizen committee probably wouldn’t work well.
Also, how much would a TV series about the renovations make? I think it would be quite interesting to watch.
JudahMaccabee on
Gut 24 Sussex and renovate. Even if it costs $20M.
The cost is not going to significantly add to our existing fiscal deficit.
The PM needs a home to conduct state business.
PineBNorth85 on
I think it’s rather fitting that in the middle of a housing crisis the PM doesn’t have an actual official residence that works.
Still needs to get done. Either renovate 24 Sussex or tear it down and start over. This has been an issue for decades and just needs to get done. And maintenance costs and approvals need to be taken away from the government. That way they can’t be as affected by those future costs politically.
OneLessFool on
We should spend the money to replace it, and that’s been my consistent opinion for a decade.
But now would be a very ironic time for Carney to do that when he’s telling Canadians that he’s about to do a lot of austerity.
King-in-Council on
We need to be a serious country here. Build a proper PMO + Residence in Rockcliffe Park. This is basically what’s been set aside by the NCC for a proper Executive *working* Residence.Â
Separate the PMO and the kids in short pants from the core continuity of government in the Privy Council Office. Cabinet should reside at what was Langevine block. Call it the Executive Council (as this is what is actually written in our Constitution) Office home of the King’s Privy Council of Canada and the Cabinet. The party / political office should be moved to a PMO Residence + office with briefing.Â
This would move us forward solving the PM residence question and further separate the continuity of government that is the PCO being a the premier body of the Crown as an institution of time immemorial, and the party mechanics of our modern Presidentialized system.Â
It’s kind of unacceptable that our “Will you destroy Canada” speech when Jean Chretien made the case to save Canada from disunity came from a dimly lit office in 24 Sussex and our COVID response was an ad hoc talking from a stoop. Sure, keep that vibe, but the PM has 3 core fundamental existential responsibilities: 1) national unity, territorial and democratic continuity 2) the sole MVP vis a vis the American relationship 3) the execution of the King’s prerogative vis a vis Commander in Chief of the Canadian Armed ForcesÂ
These responsibilities require a serious working residence with modern media briefing capabilities so as it strengthen the norms that we Canadians should be getting regular briefing on who, what, and where the PM is and doing, especially in times of crisis.Â
It would be like 30-50 million that’s nothing, and we can upgrade the quality/programming of Rockcliffe Park.Â
24 Sussex should be recycled into a secure guest house for visiting heads of states, *or* a portrait gallery/Crown collection gallery with programming on the past PMs but not exclusively so.Â
kuributt on
I think if they offload management of the project to the NCC and then like, shoot a TV special about it (and hype up using All Canadian building materials etc etc), it might be less spicy a talking point.
Tall_Guava_8025 on
What is wrong with Rideau Cottage?
The article really doesn’t go into much detail. The PM just needs a house in a secure area. I would imagine the larger grounds of Rideau Hall are easier to secure than the current 24 Sussex grounds.
There is no need for the PM’s house to be some grand place to host dinners. It also doesn’t need to be a working residence like the White House or 10 Downing Street. The PM has a separate office building across from Parliament Hill already and Rideau Hall already exists for the Governor General to host things like state dinners.
HistoricalSand2505 on
Crazy idea how about we kick the GG out of Rideau Hall let the PM stay there and build an okay residence for the GG because it’s a ceremonial role that doesn’t need Rideau Hall.
COV3RTSM on
This saga is like a toothache. It’s been kicked down the road for so long it’s now a root canal. Just spend the money and move on from this embarrassment
Oxjrnine on
Solution rip out everything that has historical significance or architectural significance then partner with one of Canada‘s best know modular home construction companies (partnering with the appropriate security service)
The resulting structure would still be very comfortable and be large enough to meet the prime minister‘s needs, but it would be also a showcase of obtainable affordable comfort that most Canadians could achieve a showcase on the productivity and ability of Canadian engineering and Canadian products.
Some of the historical items can be included after the fact, but the primary showcase is that this is a building that represents what the typical Canadian can achieve so the Prime Minister will have nice click flooring, but it’s still just click flooring a wonderful pellet fireplace from New Brunswick the same kind of windows that your average Canadian buys at Kent hardware etc. etc.
And every 50 years, a new prefab modular company will build a new one. A corporate and government cooperation project.
Exhausted_but_upbeat on
Long, long, **LONG** overdue to change 24 Sussex. Glad they finally got the dead racoons out of the walls.
Canada should have had the guts, *in the1990s*, to invest the money needed to make the Prime Minister’s residence both a hub for leadership, and also something to make dignitaries’ jaws drop open when they visit.
I’m talking gorgeous furniture from Quebec; a raw nugget of gold the size of Trump’s head; a desk fashioned with yellow cedar from BC that’s 1800+ years old; flowers from US President FDR’s summer home on Campobello Island, NB; and art *everywhere* from big names like Karsh, and celebrate Canada’s achievements (like penicillin) and commemorate our sacrifices (like Vimy Ridge).
Yes, a maximalist PM residence to blow everyone’s mind and remind them that *sometimes* Canada can do more than the bare minimum. In fact, sometimes, we can be Goddamned inspiring.
It will cost a lot of money. A metric fucktonne of money, probably. Future generations will thank us for finally having a vision, and the nerve to build something significant for the country.
Apolloshot on
The best time to finally renovate this project is when we have a popular prime minister, a swelling of national pride, and are in a moment where big projects are popular again.
Turns out all of those things are true **right now**, so renovate the damn thing already.
And then after it’s done being renovated place the maintenance under the national Capitol commission so it’s never political again unless we ever elect someone insane enough to want to build a ballroom or something.
22 Comments
I can’t help but think all the years of talk about the political risk for a PM of making a decision about 24 Sussex is overstated, especially if people knew the current state of the building, the security concerns around it and if Carney was clear he would never live in the new building (if that’s the decision that’s made).
Obviously, the decision needs to be “reasonable” – we’re not building the White House here – but I think people expect the prime minister’s residence to be habitable.
I think the tables have really turned on this issue in a very telling way.
Ironically, the thing that PM’s haven been avoiding because they thought it would look bad, is now the thing I think Canadians would love to see. ie. Showing a boldness and willingness to just get projects done.Â
I might be wrong about this, but I think Carney could announce he’s going to rebuild Sussex (or whatever) and talk about how it’s going to be great point of pride for our country and people would love it. And it puts the other parties in a very awkward position of having to support him or declare they think our country doesn’t deserve to have a home for the PM we can be proud of.
Move the PM to Stornaway.
Canada is the only parliamentary democracy I know of that provides free housing for the Leader of the Opposition.
Just fix it. It’s just embarrassing at this point
We know why Trudeau didn’t want to fix it because it was a convenient excuse for him to stay separated from his ex-wife.
Embarrassing. Use the money currently spent on Stornoway to renovate the PMs house. Or boot the opposition leader out and give Stornoway to the PM.
It’s been eleven years. For God’s sake, just tear it down and build a new one. At this point, I’m willing to support any PM who plainly does what’s needed on this issue and I don’t think I’m alone. The political risks have been inverted. I don’t think they’re in as much danger they think.
Any MP who attacks the PM that tries to fix this mess deserves the country’s enmity.
FFS this has always been simple.
Sign off on the funding to make the repairs, and park the funds in escrow until the day after the next election.
Current resident doesn’t get a shred of benefit from that money unless the voters send them back for another term.
Done.
I wish they would just get on with fixing it. The money it’s going to cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things, and it’s an embarrassment at the moment. Can you imagine the UK letting 10 Downing Street or the US letting the White House sit in such a state of disrepair for this long (well, maybe they would the White House based on recent events).
I’ll leave the engineering and security issues around 24 Sussex to the experts – as far as I’m concerned it’s long past time to make a decision and spend some money for the PM’s residence – whether it stays at 24 Sussex, or we turn the existing 24 Sussex facility into a historical place and build elsewhere.
The hand-wringing over costs is ridiculous.
Honestly just gut it, renovate it, and build any additional expansions needed. It’s a representation of the government.
Easy way to avoid the “optics” issue that has had many PMs hold off is to just agree that the rebuilt building will only be used following the first election after the renos are completed.
Have a Senate Committee decide on the budget and everything so it doesn’t seem like politicians are making a luxury mansion. There are probably a lot of security considerations and secret information so having a citizen committee probably wouldn’t work well.
Also, how much would a TV series about the renovations make? I think it would be quite interesting to watch.
Gut 24 Sussex and renovate. Even if it costs $20M.
The cost is not going to significantly add to our existing fiscal deficit.
The PM needs a home to conduct state business.
I think it’s rather fitting that in the middle of a housing crisis the PM doesn’t have an actual official residence that works.
Still needs to get done. Either renovate 24 Sussex or tear it down and start over. This has been an issue for decades and just needs to get done. And maintenance costs and approvals need to be taken away from the government. That way they can’t be as affected by those future costs politically.
We should spend the money to replace it, and that’s been my consistent opinion for a decade.
But now would be a very ironic time for Carney to do that when he’s telling Canadians that he’s about to do a lot of austerity.
We need to be a serious country here. Build a proper PMO + Residence in Rockcliffe Park. This is basically what’s been set aside by the NCC for a proper Executive *working* Residence.Â
Separate the PMO and the kids in short pants from the core continuity of government in the Privy Council Office. Cabinet should reside at what was Langevine block. Call it the Executive Council (as this is what is actually written in our Constitution) Office home of the King’s Privy Council of Canada and the Cabinet. The party / political office should be moved to a PMO Residence + office with briefing.Â
This would move us forward solving the PM residence question and further separate the continuity of government that is the PCO being a the premier body of the Crown as an institution of time immemorial, and the party mechanics of our modern Presidentialized system.Â
It’s kind of unacceptable that our “Will you destroy Canada” speech when Jean Chretien made the case to save Canada from disunity came from a dimly lit office in 24 Sussex and our COVID response was an ad hoc talking from a stoop. Sure, keep that vibe, but the PM has 3 core fundamental existential responsibilities: 1) national unity, territorial and democratic continuity 2) the sole MVP vis a vis the American relationship 3) the execution of the King’s prerogative vis a vis Commander in Chief of the Canadian Armed ForcesÂ
These responsibilities require a serious working residence with modern media briefing capabilities so as it strengthen the norms that we Canadians should be getting regular briefing on who, what, and where the PM is and doing, especially in times of crisis.Â
It would be like 30-50 million that’s nothing, and we can upgrade the quality/programming of Rockcliffe Park.Â
24 Sussex should be recycled into a secure guest house for visiting heads of states, *or* a portrait gallery/Crown collection gallery with programming on the past PMs but not exclusively so.Â
I think if they offload management of the project to the NCC and then like, shoot a TV special about it (and hype up using All Canadian building materials etc etc), it might be less spicy a talking point.
What is wrong with Rideau Cottage?
The article really doesn’t go into much detail. The PM just needs a house in a secure area. I would imagine the larger grounds of Rideau Hall are easier to secure than the current 24 Sussex grounds.
There is no need for the PM’s house to be some grand place to host dinners. It also doesn’t need to be a working residence like the White House or 10 Downing Street. The PM has a separate office building across from Parliament Hill already and Rideau Hall already exists for the Governor General to host things like state dinners.
Crazy idea how about we kick the GG out of Rideau Hall let the PM stay there and build an okay residence for the GG because it’s a ceremonial role that doesn’t need Rideau Hall.
This saga is like a toothache. It’s been kicked down the road for so long it’s now a root canal. Just spend the money and move on from this embarrassment
Solution rip out everything that has historical significance or architectural significance then partner with one of Canada‘s best know modular home construction companies (partnering with the appropriate security service)
The resulting structure would still be very comfortable and be large enough to meet the prime minister‘s needs, but it would be also a showcase of obtainable affordable comfort that most Canadians could achieve a showcase on the productivity and ability of Canadian engineering and Canadian products.
Some of the historical items can be included after the fact, but the primary showcase is that this is a building that represents what the typical Canadian can achieve so the Prime Minister will have nice click flooring, but it’s still just click flooring a wonderful pellet fireplace from New Brunswick the same kind of windows that your average Canadian buys at Kent hardware etc. etc.
And every 50 years, a new prefab modular company will build a new one. A corporate and government cooperation project.
Long, long, **LONG** overdue to change 24 Sussex. Glad they finally got the dead racoons out of the walls.
Canada should have had the guts, *in the1990s*, to invest the money needed to make the Prime Minister’s residence both a hub for leadership, and also something to make dignitaries’ jaws drop open when they visit.
I’m talking gorgeous furniture from Quebec; a raw nugget of gold the size of Trump’s head; a desk fashioned with yellow cedar from BC that’s 1800+ years old; flowers from US President FDR’s summer home on Campobello Island, NB; and art *everywhere* from big names like Karsh, and celebrate Canada’s achievements (like penicillin) and commemorate our sacrifices (like Vimy Ridge).
Yes, a maximalist PM residence to blow everyone’s mind and remind them that *sometimes* Canada can do more than the bare minimum. In fact, sometimes, we can be Goddamned inspiring.
It will cost a lot of money. A metric fucktonne of money, probably. Future generations will thank us for finally having a vision, and the nerve to build something significant for the country.
The best time to finally renovate this project is when we have a popular prime minister, a swelling of national pride, and are in a moment where big projects are popular again.
Turns out all of those things are true **right now**, so renovate the damn thing already.
And then after it’s done being renovated place the maintenance under the national Capitol commission so it’s never political again unless we ever elect someone insane enough to want to build a ballroom or something.