Prime Minister Mark Carney's scheme to launch a "design-and-build" competition to modernize 24 Sussex Dr. doesn't pass the smell test, says a prominent ethics watchdog.
Duff Conacher, co-founder of Ottawa-based Democracy Watch, said plans to use private donations to renovate Canada's dilapidated prime ministerial residence tread on federal ethics laws and create potentially criminal conflicts of interest.
Concerns Over Donor Influence
"PM Carney has said he will never live in 24 Sussex, but no one actually knows if he will live there, as it is not known how long he will be PM," Conacher said.
"Whichever PM lives in it will enjoy a benefit provided by the donors that pay for it, and if any of the significant donors have dealings with the government, their donation will violate the federal ethics law and the criminal code."
History of Decay at 24 Sussex
The decaying 159-year-old, 35-room Ottawa mansion overlooking the Ottawa River across from Rideau Hall was officially closed for remediation work in 2022. It served as the PM's official residence from Louis St. Laurent in the late 1940s until the end of Stephen Harper's term in 2015.
Former PM Justin Trudeau opted to live in Rideau Cottage instead of 24 Sussex Dr., which, according to a 2023 National Post story, contained so many rodent carcasses and sketchy wiring that federal staffers considered it a dire safety risk. While the home remained uninhabited since 2015, Trudeau's personal chef still prepared family meals in the home's kitchens as late as 2023.
Fundraising Plans Violate Laws: Conacher
The PM plans to announce the winning bid to remediate 24 Sussex Dr. by Canada Day 2027, but Conacher maintains that plans to use the Rideau Hall Foundation to lead a national fundraising campaign are problematic.
"Carney said (on Friday) the Rideau Hall Foundation would set the rules for the donations and run the fundraising effort, but then said there would be restrictions on the donations," Conacher said, pointing out that the PMO contended that only Canadians and Canadian philanthropic foundations would be allowed to donate.
"Who is setting the rules, the Foundation or the PMO? Are there legal rules that actually have to be complied with? If so, where is the bill or regulation setting them out? Are they set out in writing in any document?"
The Toronto Sun reached out to the PMO for comment.
Legal Framework and Donation Caps
Section 11 of the Conflict of Interest Act, as well as sections 119 and 121 of the Criminal Code of Canada, specifically prohibit politicians and government officials from accepting benefits from somebody seeking favour from the government.
With estimates of the renovations costing upwards of $100 million, Conacher said questions remain about integrity — particularly Carney's assurances Friday that a 10% cap would be placed on donations.
"The limit of 10% of the total cost of the renovation would allow for donations of around $5 million up to $10 million," Conacher said.
"A big business executive whose business lobbies the federal government would still be allowed to donate that amount, as would a philanthropic foundation run by that big business (which many big businesses have)."
