According to sources speaking to CBC News, Prime Minister Mark Carney is anticipated to reveal the government’s long-expected conclusion regarding the fate of 24 Sussex Drive in the near future.
The neglected residence, designated for use by Canada’s prime ministers, has remained unoccupied for over ten years. By 2024, the structure underwent extensive renovations to eliminate mould, asbestos, and vermin.
In the spring, Carney indicated his intention to retain 24 Sussex as the official residence for the prime minister.
“You won’t find me at 24 Sussex, but I hope to see my successors there in some capacity,” Carney remarked in an April interview with CBC’s The National.
“I believe it is our duty to leave things in a better state than we found them. Clearly, the current condition of 24 Sussex cannot be any more dismal. It’s a disgrace.”
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Previous prime ministers have refrained from taking the political gamble to invest the substantial funds required for renovating the 19th-century residence, leading to its gradual decline into an unlivable state. Carney, currently residing at Rideau Cottage, stated in May that his administration was preparing to disclose its plans regarding 24 Sussex.
CBC News has chosen not to disclose the names of the sources as they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly.
A comprehensive strategy for Ottawa, which received approval on Tuesday from the National Capital Commission’s board, which oversees official residences, identified a “key objective” as the preservation and enhancement of the environment surrounding 24 Sussex.
The commission’s vision outlines plans to beautify the national capital over the next twenty years and includes suggested initiatives.
It advocates for the rehabilitation of the property at 24 Sussex, the potential expansion of the premises, and the restoration of decorative elements on its facades that were introduced in 1949.
Reflecting on the photos displayed in his office, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed to CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault his desire for successors to return to residing at 24 Sussex. The official residence has been unoccupied since 2015 due to its dilapidated condition.
“Restore and renew the property, classified as a federal heritage site, in a manner that acknowledges its significance as the official residence of Canada’s prime minister,” the National Capital Core Area Plan stated.
“Explore possibilities for expanding or enlarging the estate using contextual architecture and quality materials that align with the original residence.”
Tobi Nussbaum, the commission’s CEO, mentioned that the government has been actively considering the future of the prime minister’s official residence, and Carney “is determined to reach a decision on this matter.”
While he is unaware of the government’s forthcoming decision, he expressed confidence that it is imminent.
“I feel encouraged by that level of involvement,” Nussbaum remarked during a news conference on Tuesday.
Heritage Ottawa sent a letter to Carney in the fall urging him to safeguard the heritage building constructed in the late 1860s by Joseph Merrill Currier, an MP and lumber magnate, designed in the Gothic revival style.
The National Capital Commission posted this photo of the inside of 24 Sussex Drive after the home was stripped of asbestos, mould and rodents. The abatement and decommissioning project had a budget of $4.3 million and was completed in November 2024. (National Capital Commission)
This non-profit organization is among those that have long urged the government to decisively remove the issue of 24 Sussex from political debate.
The government has also been considering a request from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In one of his last official acts, Trudeau proposed the establishment of an advisory panel made up of former prime ministers to provide guidance on the costs, security needs, and location of the residence.
The latest photo the NCC posted online from behind the gates of 24 Sussex Drive. (National Capital Commission)
CBC News reported last year that the government was evaluating three alternatives for the prime minister’s official residence:
- A new or significantly renovated complex on the current site.
- A relocation to another property in the Rockcliffe Park area of Ottawa.
- An enhancement of Rideau Cottage to make it more suitable.
In 2025, officials projected that the costs could range from tens of millions to over $100 million.
The RCMP, responsible for the prime minister’s security, informed CBC News in March that it had already provided its recommendations to the government regarding the necessary security measures and costs associated with the options being considered for the official residence.
Rideau Cottage, the prime minister’s temporary residence since 2015, is ‘inadequate for a prime minister’s needs,’ according to a government memo. Prime Minister Mark Carney is soon expected to decide the fate of 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence that has been uninhabitable for years.
An internal government memorandum indicated that Rideau Cottage, where Trudeau also resided, does not meet adequacy standards and poses increasing security concerns, partly due to its proximity to the Governor General’s residence at Rideau Hall.
The Privy Council Office has not yet provided a response to CBC News regarding the timeline for a decision or whether there are plans to establish an advisory panel to aid in future decision-making.