Date: August 31, 2026
Reporter: Kim White
The federal government has officially begun the search for Canadian companies capable of carrying out a major renovation of 24 Sussex Drive, the historic Ottawa residence traditionally occupied by Canada’s prime minister, as authorities move ahead with plans to restore the long-neglected property.
The government is seeking qualified firms to take part in the enormous rehabilitation project, which is expected to involve extensive work on the aging building and its surrounding property. The search marks another significant step toward determining how the iconic residence can be brought back to a condition suitable for use after years of deterioration.
The property has remained largely vacant and in poor condition for years, with successive governments debating what should ultimately be done with the residence. The building has suffered from aging infrastructure, outdated mechanical and electrical systems and other problems that have made a straightforward renovation impossible.
The federal government has previously acknowledged that the residence requires extensive rehabilitation rather than routine maintenance. The work is expected to involve the building's structure, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and cooling infrastructure, security systems and other essential components.
The search for contractors comes as the government moves toward a long-term solution for one of Canada's most recognizable political properties. Although 24 Sussex Drive has historically served as the official residence of Canada's prime ministers, the building's deteriorating condition has prevented recent prime ministers from using it as their primary home.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has instead been living at Rideau Cottage, another government-owned property in Ottawa, while decisions about the future of 24 Sussex Drive have continued.
The federal government's latest procurement process is intended to identify companies with the expertise and capacity to undertake the complicated restoration. Because of the building's age and national significance, the project is expected to require specialists capable of dealing with heritage considerations as well as modern building standards and security requirements.
The property was constructed in the 19th century and has undergone numerous changes over the decades. It has been the official residence of Canadian prime ministers since 1951, when Louis St-Laurent became the first prime minister to live there.
Since then, the home has been associated with some of the most important political figures and events in Canadian history. Prime ministers have hosted foreign leaders, conducted government business and welcomed members of the public at the residence.
The building's deteriorating condition, however, has increasingly become a symbol of the federal government's difficulty in maintaining its historic properties.
Previous assessments have found serious problems throughout the residence. Reports have described outdated electrical wiring, deteriorating plumbing, asbestos, inadequate heating and cooling systems and significant structural and safety concerns.
The scale of the required work means that simply repairing individual problems would not be enough. A comprehensive reconstruction and modernization program is expected to be necessary if the government intends to preserve the residence for future prime ministers.
The government has therefore been examining different approaches to the property, including whether to completely renovate the existing structure or pursue other options. The current procurement process suggests that officials are moving forward with a substantial restoration strategy.
The project is expected to be extremely expensive. Previous estimates for completely rehabilitating 24 Sussex Drive have reached hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting the extensive work required to modernize the property while preserving its historic character.
The cost has generated debate among politicians and members of the public, particularly at a time when the federal government is facing pressure to control spending and address other national priorities.
Supporters of the renovation argue that 24 Sussex Drive is an important part of Canada's national heritage and should be preserved for future generations. They contend that allowing such a historically significant building to deteriorate further would ultimately cost taxpayers more and result in the loss of an important piece of Canada's architectural and political history.
Critics have questioned whether spending a large amount of public money on an official residence is justified, particularly when the prime minister already has access to other government-owned accommodations.
The debate has continued for years, with governments repeatedly postponing a final decision on the property's future.
The latest search for contractors could finally move the project from years of discussion toward actual construction planning. Companies interested in participating will need to demonstrate that they can manage a project involving a historic building, complex security requirements and extensive modernization.
Security will be a particularly important consideration. As the official residence of Canada's prime minister, the property requires significant protection, including secure communications, controlled access and infrastructure capable of supporting the demands of the Prime Minister's Office and national security agencies.
Any major renovation will therefore have to balance the preservation of the building's historic character with the need to create a secure and functional modern residence.
The project is also likely to require careful coordination with federal heritage authorities because of the property's historical significance. Renovations cannot simply treat the building like an ordinary residential property.
For the federal government, the challenge will be to complete the work while managing costs and maintaining public confidence in the project.
The search for contractors does not mean that the residence will immediately be ready for occupancy. A project of this scale could take years to complete, particularly given the condition of the property and the complexity of the required work.
The building will also need to meet modern accessibility, environmental and safety standards once renovations are complete.
The decision to move forward comes as the federal government continues to review how it manages its portfolio of nationally significant properties. Ottawa has faced growing criticism over the condition of several government buildings, with 24 Sussex Drive becoming perhaps the most recognizable example of deferred maintenance.
The property has been empty for an extended period, while taxpayers have continued to bear costs associated with maintaining and securing it.
The government's procurement process could therefore become an important test of whether Ottawa can successfully deliver a large-scale heritage restoration project while keeping costs under control.
For Canadians, 24 Sussex Drive remains more than a house. It is closely associated with the office of the prime minister and has become an enduring symbol of Canada's political leadership.
The residence has hosted generations of prime ministers and their families, witnessed major moments in Canadian history and served as a backdrop for countless diplomatic and political events.
Its current condition has nevertheless raised difficult questions about the country's responsibility to preserve its historic institutions and buildings.
As companies prepare to compete for the opportunity to participate in the rehabilitation project, the federal government will now face the difficult task of choosing a team capable of restoring the property without allowing the costs to spiral out of control.
The search represents a significant development in the long-running saga of 24 Sussex Drive. After years of deterioration, political debate and uncertainty over its future, Canada's most famous fixer-upper is finally moving closer to a major restoration.
Whether the project ultimately succeeds will depend on the government's ability to balance heritage preservation, modern security requirements, construction costs and the practical needs of Canada's future prime ministers.
For now, Ottawa is searching for the Canadian expertise needed to give 24 Sussex Drive a new lease on life and potentially return the historic residence to its traditional role at the centre of Canada's political establishment.