A PM’S home is his castle

A Calgary Herald editorial:

It’s likely that the occupant of any home would want to carefully consider a $10-million renovation.

In the case of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the fact that it is taxpayers picking up the tab probably makes little difference to the hesitation, because the optics of dedicating such a big sum to the PM’s official residence is bound to generate some political heat.

The National Capital Commission has been wanting to upgrade and improve the energy efficiency of 24 Sussex Drive since 2008. Harper said at the time that he would be willing to move out, but since then, the Prime Minister’s Office has simply said that Harper and his family find the Ottawa estate “adequate to their needs” and have no plans to leave.

Given that Harper is the long-term occupant of the home, the commission should take its cue from the PM, despite the pressing need to carry out improvements. If he’s not upset by the state of the residence, then why should ordinary Canadians grumble about not getting on with the costly upgrade? After all, even at the reported cost of $69,000 a year for heat and hydro for the sprawling property, it would take almost 145 years — the very age of the home, ironically — to reach the $10-million cost of the project.

The next federal election will be held in 2015. The commission, and the Harpers, should agree that whoever is elected PM will be set up in other suitable digs while the work is carried out. It is the fairest and surest way of taking politics out of the expenditure.