The prime ministers’ residence at 24 Sussex Drive has won high praise from its National Capital Commission overseers. It is safe to live in but “in poor condition” which even in hyperbolic real estate terms means it is a total teardown shunned even by bats.I wrote “prime ministers” plural because all are expected to live there, no matter how leftward or rightful. But the house, built in 1868, hasn’t been renovated for 50 years. Rife with asbestos, drafts, mice and housey things, like strange odours and dripping taps, it cannot be repaired unless Canadians get over their status anxiety about politicians being all fancy.Who do PMs think they are, wanting homes they can invite dignitaries to without waving their arms about to distract them from cracks in the walls and ceilings. “Oh, and the toilet handle sticks, just wiggle it a bit. Maybe there’s a body behind it, like that Calgary women’s washroom. Ha ha!” The Austrian ambassador thinks of Fritzl, blanches. Provincial premiers are sympathetic but foreigners have been unnerved. “What’s that funny smell?” British officials asked, antsy about novichok, polonium and other Russian whatnot.So Prime Minister Trudeau and his family live in Rideau Cottage, which has tiny windows, a glued-on portico that does the house no favours and frankly, zero curb appeal. Did you know we make them pay for their own internet? The PM needs a new plane too, one with Wi-Fi and a place to stretch out. What if the plane crashed and we had to explain why he flew on the equivalent of a refurbished laptop? Some Canadians resent the PM’s accoutrements of power as much as they bridle at his irrelevant photogeneity.Don’t pass it on, but we are a small-minded people. The CBC follows this clickbait story regularly to attract Toronto and Vancouver readers breaking out in real estate hives. The latest news is that the Trudeau family has meals sent over from 24 S ...
|
