e-4648 (Government services and administration)

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is an independent Crown Corporation and is responsible for year-round maintenance and operations for the six official residences in Canada’s National Capital Region.

The NCC and the Government of Canada recognize the importance of the official residences and their heritage and cultural value.

Rideau Hall has played a prominent historical and constitutional role in Canada since Confederation. Rideau Hall has been the official residence of every Governor General of Canada, and their official workplace since 1940. The residence’s apolitical identity is a symbol of Canada’s system of government.

Rideau Hall is a National Historic Site of Canada and a Federal Heritage Building Review Office (FHBRO) “Classified” federal heritage complex, including the main residence, landscape grounds, and outbuildings.

The Government of Canada continues to work closely with the NCC to develop a plan for the future of the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. The NCC is committed to full transparency and reports annually on capital expenditures incurred at the official residences. 24 Sussex remains the only official residence in critical condition. In order to protect the health and safety of residence staff, as well as to ensure the integrity of this FHBRO “Classified” Heritage Asset, the National Capital Commission closed 24 Sussex Drive. Residence employees have been relocated, and the abatement of designated substances, as well as the removal of obsolete systems, is currently underway.

The current project will carry out the urgent and necessary work at 24 Sussex that must be undertaken.

The office of governor general is the oldest continuous institution in Canada. In accordance with the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, the Governor General exercises the powers and responsibilities accorded to the The King by Canada’s constitution. These responsibilities include the appointment of the Government and giving Royal assent to legislation. The Governor General is also Commander-in-Chief of Canada and, in that capacity, plays an important role for those who serve our country in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Governor General also exercises important ceremonial responsibilities. These include recognizing the achievements of outstanding Canadians, primarily through the Canadian honours system; receiving foreign dignitaries visiting Canada in an official capacity; representing Canada abroad at the request of the Government; and leading national commemorations and celebrations.

In carrying out these functions, great care is taken to ensure the greatest value for Canadian taxpayers. This principle is also applied to the maintenance and operation of Rideau Hall, which, in addition to being the historic official residence of the Governor General, is a workplace, a place to receive foreign dignitaries, and a space for Canadians to gather, learn about our shared history, and celebrate our common identity.