Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsEconomyCanada PM's home is falling apart and Carney seeks cash to fix itYears of deferred maintenance have left 24 Sussex Drive plagued by mould, asbestos and lead contaminationAuthor of the article:Last updated 27 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The building's aging infrastructure — outdated wiring, failing heating and cooling systems, poor insulation and deteriorating plumbing — has raised safety concerns. Photo by TONY CALDWELL/PostmediaCanada is launching a fundraising campaign to restore its decaying, at times rodent-infested prime ministerial residence — repairs previous governments avoided for fear of backlash over the cost to taxpayers.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorPrime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that the Rideau Hall Foundation, an Ottawa-based charity, will seek to raise funds from across Canada so taxpayers don’t have to foot the whole bill.The government will also kick off a competition to find a Canadian firm to redesign and rebuild the residence located at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa. The aging 34-room mansion has been unoccupied since 2015 due to its severe disrepair.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“I will never, in any event, live in 24 Sussex Drive,” Carney said. “But future prime ministers will undoubtedly need to raise their children here as they lead our country. So we will restore it so they may do so safely and securely.”The chosen design will determine the overall cost. But a 2021 report estimated it would cost $36.6 million to restore the residence to “good” condition — roughly $44 million adjusted for inflation.24 Sussex Drive has been the official prime ministerial residence for 75 years, but the last leader to live there was Stephen Harper. Its problems predated his tenure, and by the time he left office in 2015, the house had deteriorated to the point that Justin Trudeau was advised not to move in and instead lived in nearby Rideau Cottage.Years of deferred maintenance left 24 Sussex Drive plagued by mould, asbestos and lead contamination, as well as persistent mouse infestations that at one point left carcasses and droppings inside the walls. The government said in 2024 that it had removed the hazardous materials and rodents, but major issues remain.The building’s aging infrastructure — outdated wiring, failing heating and cooling systems, poor insulation and deteriorating plumbing — has raised safety concerns. Security shortcomings have compounded those problems, with the residence no longer meeting modern standards to house a Group of Seven leader.Governments have been reluctant to undertake the renovations, in large part because of the optics of spending tens of millions of public dollars on a home for the prime minister amid persistent taxpayer concern about the cost of living, housing and health care.Carney’s office said the design competition aims to find a proposal that will restore the property as a secure, accessible and functional residence, while preserving its heritage character.The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada will advise on the competition framework and convene an independent jury chaired by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. The jury will recommend a design to cabinet, with the selected proposal to be announced by July 1, 2027. The winning team will be responsible for both the project’s design and construction.—With assistance from Mario Baker Ramirez. 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