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The National Capital Commission is ready to roll if and when the federal government makes a decision on the future of 24 Sussex Drive.
NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum was asked after Thursday’s board meeting for his reaction to reports that former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper had offered to lead a fundraising effort to restore the crumbling structure that was once home to Canadian PMs.
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“In terms of the efforts made by Mr. Chrétien, which were reported in the press, if the government had said, ‘Yup, that’s something that we’re prepared to accept as an offer,” we would, of course, find a way to work closely with them,” Nussbaum said.
“We are keen to move forward. Our board feels very very strongly that 24 Sussex is an important heritage building for our country. We would like to see progress, and, if there are creative options on the table, we would be willing to partner with whomever wanted to help us with that. But, obviously and clearly, the decision on next steps is for the Government of Canada to make.”
The residence, vacant since Harper moved out in 2015, was riddled with asbestos, had decrepit heating, plumbing and electrical systems and, finally, was infested with wasps, bats, rodents and other pests. When it was declared unsafe for the few remaining staffers who worked there, the NCC began stripping it down to the studs. That work is mostly finished and the building’s heritage artifacts are now in storage, Nussbaum said. In the coming months, work will begin on the property’s gatehouse, he said.
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Built in 1866 by an Ottawa Valley lumber baron, 24 Sussex was home for every Canadian prime minister from Louis St-Laurent to Harper and was the boyhood home for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau, however, chose to live at Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall after he was first elected in 2015.
“We’ve been very clear for many years now, but certainly since we initiated the abatement work at 24 Sussex last fall, that we are awaiting a decision from the Government of Canada on the future of prime ministerial residence, and that could include a decision on whether 24 Sussex remains the official residence or not,” Nussbaum said.
“We’ve been very very clear that the work we’re doing does not prejudge any outcome. We feel that we’re doing everything we can to prepare the moment when the Government of Canada turns to us and says, ‘OK. We’ve made a decision. Please move ahead.’”
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