Official residences overview: Committee of the Whole—May 19, 2022
Document navigation for "Committee of the Whole: May 19, 2022"
Official residences
In this section
Key data points
- June 2021: 2021 Asset Portfolio Condition Report released
- As per the 2021 report, only 24% of the assets were considered to be in “good” condition, down from 34% in 2018
- Of the main residences, Rideau Hall, Harrington Lake, Stornoway, and 7 Rideau Gate are in “fair” condition; the farm is in “poor” condition; 24 Sussex is in “critical” condition
24 Sussex
- Over the last decade, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has completed some work related to health and safety at 24 Sussex including the rehabilitation of chimneys and fireplaces, fire compartmentalization, stabilization of escarpment, and the removal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, from the main building
- However, the corporation has not been able to proceed with the extensive rehabilitation of the residence and has been limited to completing repairs that were urgently required for health and safety
- Since the property has not seen significant investment in over 60 years, the additional work required would include the rehabilitation of the building envelope, replacement of mechanical and electrical systems, and construction of universally accessible entrances and washrooms
- All buildings on the site would require extensive recapitalization and the NCC would need prolonged access to the residence
- The NCC is working with its federal partners to develop a plan for the future of 24 Sussex Drive and is ensuring that issues related to security, functionality, environmental sustainability, universal accessibility, design excellence, and heritage preservation are taken into consideration in its preparations
- As part of its duties as steward of the official residences, the NCC is renewing various studies, including functional program options for the building, site surveys of the grounds, the main building and the 4 secondary buildings, asbestos testing, and other life cycle evaluations
- In its role as steward of Canada’s official residences, the NCC has conducted a number of studies, including a preliminary functional requirements study for the prime minister’s official residence
- This study was drafted based on input from various federal partners and previous occupants. The purpose of the study was to support the development of a spatial program suitable for Canada’s prime minister, helping us determine future options for this official residence
- As detailed in the Official Residences of Canada: 2021 Asset Portfolio Condition Report, 24 Sussex Drive continues to be in “critical” condition. Over the last decade, the NCC has completed some work at 24 Sussex including the rehabilitation of chimneys and fireplaces, fire compartmentalization, stabilization of the escarpment at the back and west sides of the property and the removal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, from the main building
- Official residences are important symbols of Canada’s democracy and we are working closely with the NCC to ensure that they are appropriately cared for and maintained. At this time, no official decision has been made regarding the future of 24 Sussex
Rideau Hall
- Since 1986, the buildings and grounds of Rideau Hall have been managed by the NCC, which is implementing a long-term rehabilitation project to ensure that the valuable heritage buildings on the estate remain in optimal condition
- The NCC assists the Office of the Secretary of the Governor General of Canada (OSGG) in delivering their program of work at Rideau Hall, recognizing that it is an official residence, a public destination, and a workplace for over 200 federal public servants, including employees of the OSGG and the NCC, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other agencies
- Since 1988, development plans, supported by asset condition reports, for both the buildings and grounds have been completed and several upgrades have been made
- The NCC also completes projects on behalf of the OSGG in support of its programming at Rideau Hall. Some projects undertaken at Rideau Hall fall outside NCC’s scope to furnish, maintain and rehabilitate the property. These are commissioned and paid for by the OSGG, including a recent feasibility study examining multimedia options for the ballroom and installing an access control gate in the Monck Wing
- All NCC projects that are planned or underway at Rideau Hall are coordinated in collaboration with the OSGG in order to ensure effective implementation
- Overall, the Rideau Hall main residence was determined to be in “fair” condition in the NCC’s Official Residences of Canada: 2021 Asset Portfolio Condition Report
Stornoway
- Stornoway holds a “recognized” federal heritage designation. The main residence functions primarily as a private residence for the leader of the opposition and their family. Since 1988, development plans, supported by asset condition reports for both the building and grounds, have been completed and several upgrades have been made
- Currently, elements of the main residence that need to be upgraded or replaced include the building envelope, fire alarm, as well as the electrical and heating and cooling systems. Aspects of the residence also need to be renovated to permit universal accessibility
- The National Capital Commission works in close collaboration with the offices of each future resident of an official residence—including leaders of the official opposition destined to live at Stornoway—to determine the timing and logistical details of their move, including required updates to the residence
- During transitions, typical moving tasks are performed to ensure the residence is clean and appropriately furnished so that occupants can feel at home and are able to execute their official duties as soon as they move in. Moving costs are not associated with the occupant’s personal belongings
- As an independent Crown corporation led by its board of directors, the National Capital Commission plans, initiates, and implements the works and investments related to the official residences to ensure the residence’s continued operation and to safeguard its national heritage
- Overall, Stornoway was determined to be in “fair” condition in the NCC’s Official Residences of Canada: 2021 Asset Portfolio Condition Report. The National Capital Commission released this report in June 2021 to remain transparent and open with the Canadian public and it remains committed to working with its partners to ensure that issues related to security, heritage preservation, sustainability, and accessibility are addressed
- The report found that the overall condition of the portfolio continues to deteriorate with only 24% of the assets considered to be in “good” condition, down from 34% in 2018. Of the 6 main official residences, 4 are in “fair” condition (Rideau Hall, Harrington Lake, Stornoway, 7 Rideau Gate), and the farm is in “poor” condition while 24 Sussex remains in “critical” condition
Harrington Lake
- While the main cottage at Harrington Lake is 95 years old, most of the buildings were built between 1850 and 1925. Harrington Lake, the official country residence of the Prime Minister, is used for both official and private functions, with buildings that can accommodate official business as well as state visits
- The Harrington Lake property was deemed to be in “critical” condition in the NCC’s Official Residences of Canada: 2018 Asset Portfolio Condition Report
- As part of a broader long-term program to preserve, maintain and restore all the official residences under NCC management, the NCC allocated $8.6 million to rehabilitate the Harrington Lake property. This project improved the condition of the farmhouse (formerly known as the caretaker’s cottage) from “critical” to “good”, and the condition of the main cottage, from “critical” to “fair”, and it was completed under budget
- The farmhouse, built in 1850, was dismantled, relocated and rebuilt on a larger footprint close to the main cottage to improve its practicality and use. This $2.5-million rehabilitation project began in the fall of 2018 and was completed in June 2019. The investment in the farmhouse has provided the site with a more functional, environmentally-friendly building
- The renovated building features full universal accessibility on the main floor, and offers more useable space for family rooms, studies, offices, meeting areas, official state functions, and use by the RCMP and foreign dignitaries’ security details. Prior to this work, the building had been closed since 2008 due to health and safety concerns; it was in need of complete rehabilitation to prevent its collapse
- The rehabilitation work at the main cottage involved maintenance and life cycle renewal to stabilize key systems and building elements to simplify ongoing maintenance, and to reduce insect infiltration
- Some examples of the work include:
- repairing wall framing
- installing insulation and weatherproofing
- installing modern systems for hot water, heating and ventilation
- rehabilitating the fire suppression system
- replacing exterior doors
- repairing masonry and the foundations
- dismantling and rebuilding 2 heritage chimneys
- This project began in the fall of 2019 and was substantially completed in December 2020. The overall cost of $5.792 million was under the initial $6.1 million budget. This investment falls short of addressing all of the required renovations at Harrington Lake and does not include modern building improvements such as universal accessibility and environment sustainability
- The National Capital Commission’s work at Harrington Lake was part of a broader program to preserve, maintain, and restore all official residences under NCC management
- The NCC completed works at Harrington Lake in December 2020 with an overall cost of $5.8 million, which is less than the original budget of $6.1 million
- As an independent Crown corporation led by its board of directors, the NCC plans, initiates, and implements the works and investments related to the official residences to ensure their continued operation and to safeguard their national heritage
Document navigation for "Committee of the Whole: May 19, 2022"
- Date modified: