Prime Minister Justin Carney announced Friday a national design-and-build competition to renovate and modernize the official prime ministerial residence at 24 Sussex Drive [1].

The move addresses the long-term deterioration of the Ottawa landmark, which has remained uninhabitable for the head of government for nearly 11 years [2].

Carney said the competition aims to rehabilitate the property to ensure it serves as a functional residence and a symbol of the nation. The initiative seeks to move past years of decay that have left the official home vacant [2].

"We will not let it crumble, we will set it right," Carney said [1].

Carney said the government is seeking a comprehensive plan to bring the facility into the modern era. "We are launching a national design-and-build competition to rehabilitate and modernize 24 Sussex Drive," Carney said [1].

The process will involve a competitive selection of architects and builders to reimagine the site. According to government plans, the winning design for the rehabilitation project will be announced July 1, 2027 [1].

24 Sussex Drive has become a focal point of public discussion regarding government spending and heritage preservation. The residence has not housed a prime minister since approximately 2015, as structural issues and outdated systems rendered it unsuitable for occupancy [2].

“"We will not let it crumble, we will set it right."”

The decision to launch a formal competition marks a shift from incremental repairs to a comprehensive overhaul of the prime ministerial residence. By involving a national design process, the government is attempting to resolve a decade-long political liability regarding the property's decay while ensuring the final result meets modern security and sustainability standards.