I have been seeing a debate on Facebook about whether 24 Sussex should be restored or replaced. Most of the comments centered around why Pierre Poilievre, the Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition, should vacate Stornoway and turn it over to Carney.
It seems that the great majority do not know that since Trudeau came into office, the Prime Minister has been living at Rideau Cottage on the grounds of the Governor General’s residence. Rideau Hall, set in a vast, 79-acre park, is roughly across the street from 24 Sussex, which is a much more modest lot of 5.53 acres on the bank of the Ottawa River.
24 Sussex
24 Sussex is 12,000 square feet with 35 rooms. It was built by an MP and former lumber baron, Joseph Merrel Currier. It was expropriated by the Government of Canada in 1943 from its then owner, Gordon Edwards, who died there in 1946 as he was disputing the expropriation.
Prior to the government’s acquisition of the house and its renovation (at the princely sum of $500,000) prime ministers lived wherever they could, some their own homes, but some in rented apartments, and some at the Chateau Laurier.
24 Sussex is not well suited as a primary state residence – it doesn’t even have a grand hall for events – and in my opinion, it should be razed and rebuilt from the ground up. It is currently in a state of great disrepair and neglect, including rodent infestation.
Rideau Cottage
Rideau Cottage, home to the Prime Minister since 2015, is set on the Governor General’s estate. It encompasses 10,939 square feet, housing 22 rooms. It is a lovely spacious mansion and no hardship for the PM since it is close to Parliament and completely secure within the gated grounds.
Even so, it is reported that Mark Carney does not live there but owns a house in Rockcliffe Park, an exclusive neighbourhood in Ottawa, which he has called home since he purchased it in 2020 when he returned from the United Kingdom. In 2025, he refused to answer questions about where he planned to live and there are several rumours that his wife and kids live in New York City. However, that may be a part time only thing as she is reported to be active in the Parliamentary Spouses Association.
Harrington Lake
Whatever the truth about his residence, the Prime Minister certainly has the option to live at Rideau Cottage. But that is not his only option either, the Prime Minister also has access to a home at Harrington Lake, a 13-acre property located in the Gatineau Hills. Before they separated, Sophie Trudeau lived there with her children for most of the time Trudeau was Prime Minister.
During this period, the original 16-room structure underwent a $6 million restoration, so Sophie and the kids moved into a $2.1 million home next door, which was constructed to accommodate her and is now being used as a guest cottage.
Stornoway
The same year the prime minister moved into 24 Sussex, back in 1950, the leader of the Opposition took up residence at Stornoway, a much less impressive building than either 24 Sussex or Rideau Cottage. Built in 1913, it has 19 rooms and sits on an approximately one-acre lot in Rockcliffe Park.
The Farm
Incidentally, the Speaker of the house of Commons also has an official resident, known as The Farm. It was allocated to the Speaker in 1955 and is located at Kingsmere on four acres in the Gatineau Hills. It was once owned by William Lyon Mackenzie King who bequeathed the property to the People of Canada.
Why should our leaders have this privilege?
It is important to remember that these are not just homes but state properties where business is expected to be conducted and, traditionally, where heads of state and others were accommodated. It is also a matter of national pride to accommodate our heads of state as is done in other countries.
Is it fair? Yes, it is.
On a human level, let’s remember that when people take on these positions there is no question that they live a life different from that of everyday citizens, but that does not mean its all sunshine and roses. They live under heavy stress, where every hour can present a new challenge. Their time is our time – there are no vacations and there are no private hours. You are always on duty!
Our leaders also come with families and often have homes in various parts of Canada. Since the leaders and their spouses are always on call, it makes sense to live in Ottawa, going home to the riding on visits rather than the other way around.
We should not begrudge them this small perk. The Prime Minister is paid roughly $400,000, just under the pay of a top deputy minister and certainly nowhere near what a company CEO can make. And as governor of the Bank of England, Mr. Carney was paid $1.4 million (Canadian dollars). At Brookfield, his salary was bolstered by millions of dollars’ worth of stock options, so he has taken quite a cut in pay for his current job.
That is often the case and even though they all have small expense accounts, living the life they are forced to live is still expensive.
Let’s not be minging Canucks. Pay them well then kick butt to make sure they do a good job!
To find out more about Canada’s official government residences, click here.