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The Condition of Canada's Official Residences

The NCC is committed to addressing the official residences in Canada’s Capital Region.

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Discover the Official Residences

The official residences are six important historic properties in Canada's Capital Region.

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The NCC is responsible for the long-term planning, capital works and ongoing maintenance of these residences.

Only Rideau Hall, the residence of the governor general of Canada, is open to public visitors.

The Farm

The Farm is the official residence of the speaker of the House of Commons. It has been used as an official residence since 1955.

Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall has been the official residence and workplace of every governor general of Canada since 1867.

7 Rideau Gate

The property at 7 Rideau Gate serves as a “home away from home” for visiting dignitaries.

24 Sussex Drive

The house at 24 Sussex Drive is the official residence of Canada’s prime minister.

Harrington Lake

The residence at Harrington Lake (Lac Mousseau), located in Gatineau Park, is the country residence of the prime minister of Canada.

Stornoway

Stornoway is the official residence of Canada’s leader of the Opposition, and a recognized federal heritage building.

The NCC ensures that the six official residences in Canada’s Capital Region:

  • provide safe and appropriate accommodation for Canada’s official leaders;
  • serve as inspiring properties and grounds for holding state events and ceremonies;
  • are furnished, maintained and rehabilitated to preserve their national heritage.

Crown Collection

The Crown Collection brings together all the outstanding pieces of fine and decorative art used to furnish and adorn the interiors of Canada's official residences.

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The NCC takes each property's heritage, functionality and security needs into consideration, and consults with many related agencies, representatives and professionals on the official residences. The Canadiana Fund provides donated furnishings and artifacts to enhance state rooms in the official residences.

The occupants are responsible for household operations and activities within the residences.

The Canadiana Fund

Its purpose is to enhance the beauty and significance of state areas at official residences, through public donations of furnishings, paintings and objets d'art, or the funds to purchase them.

Donate to the Canadiana Fund


Advisory Committees

The NCC receives advice and recommendations for the official residences from two advisory committees :

  • Advisory Committee on the Official Residences of Canada
  • Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty

Management Principles

The NCC has developed management principles to guide the development and maintenance of the residences. The principles address the following issues :

  • Planning
  • Security
  • Health and safety
  • Heritage protection
  • Functionality and serviceability
  • Universal accessibility
  • Environmentally friendly practices

Challenges in Maintaining the Official Residences

The official residences are heritage buildings, which were not designed to meet today's needs and standards. There are a number of challenges involved in maintaining the official residences, and extending their physical life for the benefit of future generations. These challenges include the following :

  • Protecting the buildings' heritage fabric
  • Complying with today's standards and building codes
  • Integrating modern amenities
  • Supporting official needs (for example, formal reception areas)
  • Large-scale rehabilitation projects and costs, due to decades without investment (budget constraints)
  • Conditions cannot always be confirmed until rehabilitation is under way, leading to increased scope or project delays (a common risk in managing heritage conservation projects).

The NCC continually works on overcoming these challenges and the backlog of repairs.