Why is 24 Sussex falling into disrepair? Well, there is a bit of history to that so lets learn more about this residence!

It was built between 1866 & 1868 by Joseph Merrill Currier, who was a Member of Parliament from 1867-1882.

He built it as a wedding gift for his new wife Hannah.

When it was completed, he named it Gorffwysfa, Welsh for "place of rest".

In 1901, it was sold for $30,000 to William Edwards, an MP from 1888 to 1903. The house eventually became the home of Gordon Edwards, nephew of William. He died in the home in 1946.

In 1950, the federal government decided to refurbish the property as a residence for the prime minister.

It went through $500,000 ($6.3 million today). Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent became the first Prime Minister to live there the following year.

Previously, Prime Ministers lived at various places in Ottawa, including the Chateau Laurier.

Since 1951, every Prime Minister except Kim Campbell and Justin Trudeau have lived at 24 Sussex.

Various Prime Ministers have renovated it, such as a pool during the time of Pierre Trudeau, or a redecoration that happened under Joe Clark.

However, Brian Mulroney was the first Prime Minister to have the reno costs publicly revealed.

Since then, renovation costs have been under public scrutiny.

As a result, renovation work is often viewed unfavorably & used as a political football by opposition parties in the House of Commons.

The last renovation was in 2001 and little has been spent since then. In 2021, a report stated the house needed $36.6 million in repairs & 18 months of work.

Sources:

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/24-sussex-drive

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Sussex_Drive

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/24-sussex-drive