Canada Launches $50 Million Fundraising Drive to Restore 24 Sussex Drive

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans on Friday to restore 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence that has sat vacant for more than a decade. The Rideau Hall Foundation set a fundraising target of $50 million to cover all or most of the project costs, Cbc reported.

Teresa Marques, president and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation, said the goal followed discussions with the government on the project's size and scope.

"This is really meant to be a bit of a moonshot," she told CBC's Ottawa Morning. Marques added that any surplus funds would be repurposed into the project. More than 210 people donated just over $54,000 over the weekend through the foundation's website.

The average donation exceeded $250, and the foundation is capping individual contributions at $5 million. The formal campaign launch is scheduled for later this summer, though donations are already accepted. Carney stated that the government will cover security costs for the restoration.

Public Services and Procurement Canada said security experts have determined appropriate features can be integrated at the site, though it called any cost estimate premature. Documents show the residence requires nearly 500 square metres for the prime minister's family living space, including eight bedrooms and a dining area seating 15.

Government space must exceed 800 square metres and include a dining room for 30 people.

The National Capital Commission hired Toronto firm Turner & Townsend in March 2023 for cost analysis. The RCMP prepared indicative costing in 2023 based on security requirements. Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer expressed skepticism about crowdfunding the project.