OTTAWA — Mark Carney announced a crowd-funded plan for the restoration of 24 Sussex Drive. The plan includes a competition for Canadian architecture firms to submit proposals for the future of the residence, alongside a call for donations to help fund the project.

The Rideau Hall Foundation will spearhead a national fundraising campaign for the restoration. Prime Minister Mark Carney said parameters will be in place to cap donations, with individuals and philanthropic organizations allowed to contribute, but not corporations. He added that the list of donors will be made public and that an independent jury will select a winner for the design and build competition by next July.

Carney stated that the residence "has not been cared for with the respect that it deserves." He said his government seeks to ensure 24 Sussex Drive becomes a "secure, accessible and sustainable official residence" for future prime ministers. He attributed the decision not to fully fund the refurbishment with taxpayer money to government priorities such as building affordable housing and strengthening the Canadian economy.

Joseph Clarke, an associate professor of architecture at the University of Toronto, stated that fundraising may be the most "politically elegant solution" given the challenging political optics of using public funds for the residence. Clarke said the building, constructed in the 19th Century, has become "a living record" of changing architectural styles, domestic Canadian life, and public office. He noted the structure has been modified from its original Gothic Revival design. Clarke stated that he is relieved the building is "finally getting the attention it deserves."

24 Sussex Drive was built in 1867 and has served as the home for 10 prime ministers. It has hosted world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Churchill. The residence has been uninhabitable for over a decade due to deferred maintenance. Problems included asbestos-filled walls and a rodent infestation. Workers removed asbestos, mould, and rodents from the property in 2024. Restoration costs are estimated at more than C$100 million. Clarke described the residence as equivalent to the White House or 10 Downing Street, though more "modest." He also noted that the building's construction coincided with Canada's emergence as a nation.

Why It Matters

The announced crowd-funded plan represents an effort to address the long-standing issue of deferred maintenance at 24 Sussex Drive, Canada's official prime ministerial residence. The residence has been vacant for over ten years due to its uninhabitable condition and estimated restoration costs exceeding C$100 million. The initiative seeks public and philanthropic contributions for a project previously unaddressed through government funding, emphasizing the residence's historical significance as a symbol of the nation and its role in Canadian public life.