RAIC Position on 24 Sussex and the Opportunity for a National Design Competition

March 20, 2025

 

The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

 

 

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

 

On behalf of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), I extend our congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of Canada. We wish you success in your leadership and stand ready to collaborate on advancing the quality, sustainability, and cultural significance of Canada’s built environment.

 

The RAIC would like to take this opportunity to address the urgent issue of 24 Sussex Drive. As reported by the CBC, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has been tasked with establishing an advisory committee to assess the location, cost, functionality, and security requirements of the future prime minister’s residence. We commend this approach and strongly advocate for the RAIC to be included in this advisory process to ensure that architectural expertise and national design excellence guide the decision-making process.

 

As you are aware, 24 Sussex Drive is in a state of severe disrepair, raising important questions about whether to restore and rehabilitate the residence or to construct a new, purpose-built home for future prime ministers. The RAIC recognizes the complexity of this decision and believes that both rehabilitation and new construction present viable options, each with its own opportunities and challenges.

 

A key consideration in this process should be the potential to restore and modernize 24 Sussex while maintaining its historical and cultural significance. Rehabilitation and adaptive reuse are integral to sustainability in architecture, reducing demolition waste and preserving heritage while meeting modern security and functional needs. Many of Canada’s most iconic public buildings have undergone significant restorations, proving that a balanced approach can successfully merge history with contemporary requirements.

 

At the same time, there is a compelling argument for a new, purpose-built residence that better aligns with 21st-century sustainability standards, energy efficiency, security, and accessibility. A national design competition would allow Canada’s leading architects to envision an official

 

residence that reflects the country’s values, aspirations, and leadership on climate-conscious design. This process would encourage public engagement and ensure a solution that is not only functional but also inspirational.

 

The RAIC has actively contributed to major federal projects such as the Centre Block rehabilitation and Block 2 redevelopment, bringing expertise in architectural preservation, urban planning, and sustainability to projects of national significance. Given our experience, we respectfully request to be involved in the advisory committee overseeing the future of 24 Sussex, ensuring that architectural best practices and public interest are central to the discussion.

 

In the interest of transparency and public trust, we also encourage an open and inclusive process that invites Canadian architects and design professionals to contribute their expertise. Whether the ultimate decision favors restoration or new construction, it is critical that this project embodies the highest standards of architectural excellence, sustainability, and heritage conservation.

 

We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and Minister Duclos to discuss how the RAIC can support the government in this important decision. Our organization remains committed to helping shape Canada’s built environment with vision, responsibility, and leadership.

 

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely,

 

Mike Brennan, Hon. MRAIC, Hon. RAIA	Jonathan Bisson, FIRAC, Hon. RAIA, Hon. AIA
Chief Executive Officer	President
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) mbrennan@raic.org www.raic.org	Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) president@raic.org www.raic.org

CC:

 

The Honourable Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

Arianne Reza, Deputy Minister of Public Servies and Procurement Maryse Gaudreault, Chairperson of the Board for the NCC