OTTAWA CONSIDERING BUILDING NEW HOME FOR PRIME MINISTER :SOURCES
Aug 29, 2023
By Bob Komsic
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Looks like Stephen Harper will be the last prime minister to call 24 Sussex Drive home.
The government’s thinking about dropping the dilapidated official residence and is looking at other locations in the city for a new one.
The Liberals have identified other pieces of land where they could build a larger, safer, more accessible official residence than the one that prime ministers have called home from 1951 to 2015.
Justin Trudeau refused to move into 24 Sussex his first election win, citing the need of extensive renos after years of neglect.
One spot the government’s eyeing is in Rockcliffe Park, along the Ottawa River, that regularly hosts picnics and weddings.
One source says ”everyone knows that renovating everything can cost more than building something new.”
Another option’s to move the PM’s residence permanently to Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
But a former Trudeau adviser says ”it doesn’t make sense for the prime minister to live in the Governor-General’s backyard.”