Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on June 25, 2026, that the federal government will restore 24 Sussex Drive, the historic official residence of Canadian prime ministers. Speaking at a press conference, Carney emphasized that the Victorian mansion is more than a backdrop to history: 'It is a symbol of the public office of the head of our federal government and of the democratic traditions that office represents.'
A neglected national landmark
24 Sussex Drive, built in 1868, sits on a four-acre site overlooking the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers. It has been home to 10 Canadian prime ministers and hosted dignitaries such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. Despite its historical significance, the residence has been left to deteriorate for decades. Former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper, who did nothing during their tenures, have since offered to lead fundraising efforts for restoration.
Justin Trudeau and his family never moved into the draughty mansion where he spent years as a child, partly due to antiquated plumbing, heating and asbestos, but mostly over RCMP security concerns. The Mounties nearly lost a prime minister in November 1995 when intruder André Dallaire wandered inside and was only stopped by Aline Chrétien locking the bedroom door.
Security and cost challenges
The residence remains extremely exposed to Sussex Drive, and making it more secure against terrorist attacks is a major consideration. Carney said the federal government will cover additional security measures, but the bulk of restoration funding is expected to come from private donations raised by the non-profit Rideau Hall Foundation. The National Capital Commission estimated costs at $36.6 million five years ago, but Carney did not set a budget, saying he wants to avoid conditioning potential architectural designs.
The government will run a national design-and-build competition, with parameters defined by the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada. The winning proposal will be chosen by Canada Day next year, judged by an independent panel chaired by architect Moshe Safdie, who designed the National Gallery of Canada.
Preserving Canada's heritage
As John Ivison writes, Canada has lots of geography but not much history, and 24 Sussex Drive clearly qualifies as a national landmark worth preserving. 'We've expunged too much of our history,' Ivison notes, adding that Carney's decision to take on an unpopular cause reflects his sincerely held belief in the importance of history, institutions and tradition.
