24 Sussex Drive closed as rodent carcasses fill the walls and attic: documents
After years of warnings that the prime minister's official residence was in "critical condition," documents show that a severe rodent problem played a role in the closure of 24 Sussex Drive.
Documents prepared by the National Capital Commission (NCC) cite air quality concerns in the main building due to "an important rodent infestation" as an argument for the home's closure. Attempts were made to control the problem with bait but the NCC says it "leaves us with excrements and carcasses between the walls and in the attic and basement spaces."
“There is an important rodent infestation, which can’t be fully addressed until the building envelope issues are resolved,” the document, dated June 2022, read.
The documents, first obtained by the National Post via an access-to-information request, paint a picture of a famous residential address that is now considered "uninhabitable." Concerns in the main building -- which has housed Canadian prime ministers since the 1950s -- include mould, asbestos, an electrical system that is now considered a fire hazard and pipes that are so old they need to be decommissioned or a "potentially catastrophic collapse is inevitable.
"The critical condition of the property is making it increasingly difficult to contain designated substances such as asbestos and eliminate any risk to users of the buildings on the property. There are also considerable pest control issues. Together, these circumstances risk endangering the health and safety of current users," the NCC wrote in a letter to then-Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi before the decision to close the main home had been made.
The National Capital Commission started the process of closing 24 Sussex last November, with staff still working on site relocated to another NCC owned property.
The decision to close the official residence was made and communicated to the federal government last summer. In a letter sent to Tassi, the NCC says the board's decision to close 24 Sussex was "a necessary approach to eliminate the identified health and safety concerns."
While the NCC has completed some work over the last decade, including the rehabilitation of chimneys, and removal of hazardous materials from the main building, the building still requires major interventions and capital investment.
The last people to live in 24 Sussex were Stephen Harper and his family. Given the state of the historic site, the Trudeau family opted to move into Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall when Justin Trudeau took office in 2015. Documents show the fact the home is vacant comes with its own set of problems.
"Just last week there was a garden party hosting 15 hundred people, on the day we had tornado warnings for the area. If a meteorological event would have occurred, human nature could have lead to hundreds of guests rushing into this uninhabitable building which is a risk we can't accept," notes for a presentation dated June 23, 2022 read.
Asked last year about the state of the residence,the prime minister said he has no plans to ever live in the building he once called home as a young boy.
In addition to the main building, 24 Sussex Drive has a separate pool house, added in 1975 by Pierre Elliott Trudeau, that is "still used on a very frequent basis." That side of the building contains a sauna, a seating area and a pool.
Now, just like the main home, the pool building is considered by the NCC to be " in critical condition" and poses a risk to the user. The NCC estimates it will take six months to a year to do the repairs but warns that even after "invasive" repairs the building would still need "significant" future interventions as it would not be considered recapitalized.
Before just the pool house can be re-opened, the separate facility needs a new water and climate control system, all new electrical distribution and fixtures, and all the floors, ceilings, insulation and interior wood cladding removed so mould remediation can be done. Then, the NCC also says the pool needs to be emptied and retiled to remove the mould and algae formation. While the NCC documents do warn of a high risk of unforeseen conditions, the cost estimate for the work needed on the pool house has been blacked out in the ATIP documents.
The documents show that the NCC intends to begin abatement work on the main home this year, particularly with regards to asbestos and lead, as well as well as the removal of obsolete systems and infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin this spring and last one year. Any mention of cost estimates has been blacked out.
"Following this decommissioning work, there is no additional investment planned for this site while the NCC awaits a government decision," the documents say.
Asked if the procurement minister had yet to make a decision on the future of 24 Sussex, Helena Jaczek’s office offered no comment and instead referred CTV News to the NCC.
A report from the auditor general's office in 2008 pegged the cost of renovating the building at $10 million. Just over a decade later, the NCC estimated it would cost at least 36.6 million to bring the official residence up to "good condition."
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after being shot, his Facebook profile says
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
B.C. mom whose son died from wildfire smoke trying to make this year safer
As wildfires rage in British Columbia, the family of a nine-year-old who died last summer is trying to protect people from poor air quality due to smoke this year.
'Not a scarient': New COVID-19 subvariant dominant in Canada
A new COVID-19 subvariant is dominant in Canada, representing just over 30 per cent of cases in the country, but infectious disease experts say there’s no sign it’ll evolve into a summer 'scarient.'
DEVELOPING Massive manhunt in France for prison-break gang that gunned down officers
A massive manhunt was underway in France on Wednesday for armed assailants who ambushed a prison convoy, killing two prison officers, seriously injuring three others and springing the inmate they were escorting. The prime minister vowed the gang would be caught, saying, "They will pay."
Home sales in April up 10% compared with year ago, but monthly sales slow
The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of home sales in April rose 10.1 per cent compared with a year ago, but attributed the gain primarily to the early Easter long weekend.
Ottawa to acquire Quebec Bridge from CN, will spend $1 billion on span over 25 years
The federal government says it has reached a deal with Canadian National Railway Company to acquire the historic Quebec Bridge.
Utah judge to decide if author of children's book on grief will face trial in her husband's death
A Utah woman who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, then published a children’s book about coping with grief, will appear in court Wednesday for a hearing that will determine whether state prosecutors have enough evidence against her to proceed with a trial.
Growing wildfires across Western Canada are forcing thousands from their homes
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
Sun shoots out biggest solar flare in almost 2 decades, but Earth should be out of the way this time
The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, just days after severe solar storms pummelled Earth and created dazzling northern lights in unaccustomed places.
Local Spotlight
B.C. musician's song catches attention of Canucks
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Thieves caught on camera stealing pet chicken from North Vancouver backyard
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.