Former PMs wanted to save 24 Sussex
Number 24 Sussex Drive, a 19th-century home that’s been the Prime Minister of Canada’s official residence since 1950, is in desperate need of repairs. The cost to taxpayers will be exorbitant. Certain options have been considered, and various suggestions have been made. (I proposed speaking with builder/contractor Mike Holmes in a 2018 column.)
With the clock slowly approaching midnight, two new saviours have potentially emerged. They’re both high-profile figures. They have vast networks of friends, colleagues and potential donors. They’re intelligent, hard-working, strategic and determined to make this joint effort a great success.
Who am I talking about? Chretien and Harper, of course!
Hold on. To paraphrase Gary Coleman’s classic line from Diff’rent Strokes, “Whatcha talkin’ about, Taube?” Well, I’ll be glad to tell you all about it in this very special episode … err, column.
Many Canadians were probably surprised to learn last year that Chretien and Harper, both former Prime Ministers, get along quite well. This wasn’t a secret in certain political circles – I’ve known about it for years – but their respect and friendship was far from common knowledge.
“How could Chretien, a Liberal, and Harper, a Conservative, enjoy spending time together?” some may have thought. “How could they co-exist in the same room together without tearing each other from limb to limb?” others may have wondered.
If you haven’t spent much time in the world of politics, it wouldn’t make a lick of sense. If you have, then you’ll understand.
Take the friendship of two former U.S. Presidents, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. They were two politicians with different political, economic and ideological outlooks. They came from different generations. How could they ever become friends?
They had shared experiences as presidents and world leaders. They understood the inner workings of a powerful political role that few Americans would ever assume. They felt a love of country and its people. They maintained a firm belief in the importance of public service. They had mutual respect for the hard work, determination, and commitment each one had made to the job of a lifetime.
Clinton and Bush may have had significant political differences, but they began to respect one another when those old battle wounds healed. They were not only part of a unique club of former U.S. presidents but also believed in the oldschool mentality that political rivals can find ways to build friendships and identify patches of common ground. It doesn’t happen in all cases, but it can sometimes happen.
Chretien and Harper never battled in a federal election, but their story is similar to Clinton and Bush’s.
They both have different political, economic and ideological outlooks and come from different generations. Nevertheless, they were strong political leaders, strategic thinkers, powerful communicators, fierce warriors in Parliament and in campaigns – and more.
Their respect and admiration for one another is the genuine article.
Chretien and Harper now have a unique opportunity to help preserve their old political residence for future generations.
The National Capital Commission’s 2021 report suggested it could cost $36.6 million to refurbish 24 Sussex Drive. (One would safely assume this number has increased slightly in the past three years.) That’s a lot of taxpayer money to earmark at a time when many Canadians and their families are struggling to make ends meet.
Former Liberal MP Sheila Copps “got the ball rolling on a multiparty initiative for a restoration,” according to the Globe and Mail’s Lawrence Martin. She initially approached former NDP leader Ed Broadbent. He reportedly drafted a letter that would have been co-signed by other political leaders, but he passed away on Jan. 11. Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who would surely have joined this effort, also passed away on Feb. 29.