We all need to take responsibility for this national embarrassment. In this era of massive government spending, it would seem a simple matter to spend $35-50 Million on something that reflects on all of us.
Most homeowners consider regular upkeep and the occasional renovation a normal and expected part of homeownership. Even those who rent expect their landlord to keep up their home and spend the necessary funds to keep their home liveable and comfortable. Renters themselves will replace their doormats, curtains, or whatever else, to suit their comforts. We consider these costs a normal part of responsible homeownership.
So, what is it with 24 Sussex Drive, which is supposed to be the home of our Prime Minister? It is crumbling and infested with vermin. Twelve years ago, in 2008, then Auditor General Sheila Fraser said the building required more than $10 million just to make it safe to inhabit. More recent cost figures for a proper renovation are around $35 million. CBC reported in 2019: "The building systems at 24 Sussex have reached the point of imminent or actual failure," according to the National Capital Commission.
The Commission’s legal purpose according to the National Capital Act is: (10 (1) The objects and purposes of the Commission are to prepare plans for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the seat of the Government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance.
Missing from the legislation is regular funding to do their job.
This is such a political hot-potato that so far not even big-spending Justin Trudeau has approved the needed renovations. Stephen Harper refused to spend a penny beyond what was absolutely needed during his family’s time there. Conservative leadership candidate Erin O’Toole wanted to tie Justin Trudeau’s repayment of his trip to the Aga Khan’s island to Conservative approval for the expense. The NDP didn’t bother responding to a request for feedback on 24 Sussex Drive.
This is embarrassing.
Our politicians need to know that Canadians want our nationally-owned buildings to be something we can be proud of.
Cross-party agreement should be easy to get: Liberals should support spending money on 24 Sussex because they consider themselves Canada’s natural party, and so they would want their leader to be able to showcase a preserved and renovated 24 Sussex. Conservatives should support this because they believe in conserving and honouring our history. The NDP should support it because it’s spending public money and, according to their math, that makes us all richer. Seriously, though, let’s do it because it’s the right thing to do, because it’s 2020, because we want to be on the right side of history.
Judging by the latest reports, replacing it would cost the same as renovating it, so renovation makes more sense for a historical building. The fact that lumber barons built and owned it, that it was expropriated and the second owner died fighting the expropriation, these are interesting facts that tell a bit of the truth of Canada, good and bad. The fact that the Canadian government’s first renovations to it removed much of its beautiful woodwork and original finishing is sad, but is also part of its story. Let the renovation preserve and restore its history as possible, add some appropriate Indigenous historical artifacts that would be meaningful and we would have a property we could all be proud of.
This one is on us, fellow Canadians, not on our politicians.
It’s time to ask them to make this a priority.
