Carney launches a competition to rehabilitate 24 Sussex Drive after years of closure

Ottawa —
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of a national design and implementation competition aimed at rehabilitating the official residence of the Prime Ministers at 24 Sussex Drive, after years of the building being closed due to its deteriorating condition and need for comprehensive restoration.

Through the competition, the government seeks to select a team to develop a comprehensive vision to return the building to service, so that the project combines preserving the historical value of the residence and updating it to meet the requirements of security, sustainability, accessibility, and modern official use.

24 Sussex Drive is one of the most prominent official buildings in Canada, having served as the Prime Minister’s residence since 1951, but it remained out of use for many years due to structural, health, and technical problems that accumulated as a result of postponing maintenance and restoration work.

Carney said the goal of the project is not just to repair an old building, but to rehabilitate a national symbol that represents part of the history of Canadian institutions, while ensuring it is suitable for use by future Prime Ministers.

The plan includes opening the competition to specialized design and construction teams, with proposals evaluated through an independent process that considers design quality, respect for the heritage character of the building, execution efficiency, cost, and long-term feasibility.

The government also bets on reducing the financial burden on taxpayers by involving non-governmental entities in supporting the project, including the possibility of fundraising to contribute to covering part of the rehabilitation costs.

The announcement comes after years of political debate over the fate of the residence, between those who demanded its restoration as part of the national heritage, and those who considered that the high cost of its repair makes the project politically sensitive amid living and housing pressures.

Since the closure of 24 Sussex Drive, Prime Ministers have resided in Rideau Cottage within the Rideau Hall complex, while the official building remained vacant awaiting a final decision on its future.

Carney’s announcement opens the door to a practical path to bring the residence back to the forefront, but the project will remain under broad political and financial scrutiny as design stages progress, final costs are determined, and the implementation schedule is set.