OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication).
VillageReport carried an article on Rideau Cottage written by Stephanie Taylor, Canadian Press on Feb. 3, 2024. The article mentions that 24 Sussex Dr., the permanent residence of Canadian Prime Ministers, is still sitting empty with no decision on what to do with it.
This state, as it has been going for years, amounts to gross negligence and waste of money. There are three obvious solutions: sell the property, or renovate, or demolish and construct new. The decision should not take more than a couple months.
However, the Liberal government is afraid to propose a solution as they know that the Conservative Party is going to jump on them regardless of which solution they pick. The end result is that we, the taxpayers, are paying to keep the empty building secure while mice and moulds are taking it apart.
The solution I recommend is:
- The Government obtain preliminary estimates of the value of the property, the cost to demolish and build new, and the cost to restore the existing building;
- Then Parliament should vote, by free vote, first if Canada should have a permanent Prime Minster’s residence. If the vote is yes, vote on which of the three courses of action the country should follow.
If there is concern that it may still deteriorate into a party fight, than the vote should be a secret vote which should be possible as it is a property matter. This way no party can complain about the decision and we can get on with doing something.
Konrad Brenner
Ramara
