24 Sussex: the past and uncertain future of the Prime Minister’s “rodent infested death trap”

Storylines

24 Sussex Drive. That Ottawa address has been the official residence for the prime minister since the 1950s, but Canada’s current one doesn’t live there because the house is in disrepair.

Workers have already removed asbestos, mould and rodents, but it’s estimated it will cost millions more to make the building habitable—and secure. Critics call the languishing home an “embarrassment” to a G7 nation. And so far, no politician has been willing to make the decision to either fix it or tear it down.

On this week’s Storylines, Jennifer Chevalier dives into the history of 24 Sussex Drive: from the lumber baron who built it as a pre-confederation wedding present, to the man who fought against its expropriation, to the political families who have called it home, asking how politics are getting in the way of a decision on what should be done about Canada’s most famous heritage home.

Produced by Jennifer Chevalier. Story editing and mixing by Acey Rowe.

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit.