The prime minister’s proposal to renovate 24 Sussex Drive has drawn criticism from an ethics watchdog, which argues that the plan may breach federal ethics laws and create potential conflicts of interest.
The Ottawa mansion, a 159‑year‑old, 35‑room estate overlooking the Ottawa River, has been closed for remediation since 2015 after reports of rodent infestations and unsafe wiring made it uninhabitable.
The government intends to launch a design‑and‑build competition and will announce the winning bid by Canada Day 2027. A national fundraising campaign will be led by the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Critics contend that accepting private donations could provide donors with benefits that would violate conflict‑of‑interest provisions and criminal law, especially if donors have ties to the government.
With the renovation estimated to cost more than $100 million, questions remain about the legality of a 10% donation cap and the influence of large corporate donors who could still contribute up to $10 million.
Former prime ministers have chosen to live elsewhere, and the current prime minister has not yet decided whether to occupy the renovated residence.
