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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday that renovating or building a new official residence for the prime minister will be at the bottom of his to-do list should his party form government after the next election.
“Of my list of priorities, this will probably be the last. We don’t need a new home for the prime minister. We need a new home for working-class Canadians,” he told reporters at a news conference in Oshawa, Ont.
Mr. Poilievre was responding to questions about a CBC News report, which said, citing sources, that the government is leaning toward giving up on the idea of repairing 24 Sussex, the prime minister’s official residence.
The building, which backs onto the Ottawa River, has remained vacant since Justin Trudeau opted not to move in to the home he grew up in as the son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. Sources told the CBC that the building is too run down and that the grounds are too small. Other options are being looked at in the city’s Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood, which is slightly north of 24 Sussex and home to many large houses on big lots that serve as diplomatic residences. Rockcliffe Park is also the location of Stornoway, the official residence of the leader of the official opposition, where Mr. Poilievre and his family live.
In April, Mr. Trudeau told reporters that he is leaving the fate of 24 Sussex Dr. to the National Capital Commission, a federal body that manages the property. The NCC has said it would cost at least $36.6-million to restore 24 Sussex.
“I know there have been ongoing consultations and important processes to balance the historical heritage nature of that building and the needs of government and of Canadians going forward,” Mr. Trudeau said at the time.
During that news conference, Mr. Trudeau described Rideau Cottage, located on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, as a “smaller but better place.” The Prime Minister hosted U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, at Rideau Cottage during a visit in March.
Mr. Poilievre said Tuesday that the prime minister’s residence does not need to be big enough to host large receptions. He said it “should be reasonable and practical, to provide for the ability to receive dignitaries,” and to have security.
