24 Sussex renewal appeal passes $5.7 million on public launch, toward $50-million goal

The national fundraising appeal to renew 24 Sussex Drive, the prime minister's official residence, launched publicly on October 28, with the Rideau Hall Foundation saying it has already secured more than $5.7 million from over 4,000 contributions toward a $50-million goal.

Fundraising so far

Contributions range from individual gifts of $25, $50 and $100 to major commitments, the foundation said. The total is about 11 percent of the goal. The foundation also introduced the Council for 24 Sussex, a group of volunteer philanthropic leaders from across Canada who will help mobilize support for what it calls a once-in-a-generation national project.

Robert Prichard, chair of the foundation's board, said: “As the official residence of Canada's prime minister, 24 Sussex is part of the architecture of our democracy. Renewing it is not simply about preserving history; it is about ensuring that our national institutions reflect the confidence and ambition of the country they represent.” Foundation president and CEO Teresa Marques said the $50-million goal is ambitious but achievable, and that she is very encouraged by the momentum.

Background

24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa was first occupied as a private home in 1868 and was home to nine prime ministers from 1951 to 2015. Deterioration kept Justin Trudeau from moving in with his family after his election in 2015, and the residence has stood vacant for about a decade. In June, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a plan to renovate and reopen it, setting the $50-million fundraising goal.

What comes next

The foundation says the appeal remains open to Canadians across the country as it works to build support for the restoration. The Rideau Hall Foundation is a nonpartisan national charitable organization created to amplify the work of the Governor General.