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> We have become so devoted to frugality and bureaucracy, and are so readily appeased by basic functionality, that we have lost the fortitude to take and demand

> We have become so devoted to frugality and bureaucracy, and are so readily appeased by basic functionality, that we have lost the fortitude to take and demand risks, even if the outcome could be the most beautiful thing we’ve ever seen. The most notable example of this is that for the entirety of his seven year term, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has declined to stay at the Official Residence of the PM, 24 Sussex Drive, because it's in such poor condition. He has also not moved an inch to make any repairs whatsoever to bring it up to a standard such that the property could be used. Presumably it would be "unseemly" for a PM to spend money for their indirect benefit. If the property is so bad and undesirable that it should be replaced instead of renovated, man, I can't believe it would be possible to be done. Canadian governments are so miserly I cannot imagine a government that would spend millions on this project even if it was an elegant Canadian designed building Canadians could all be proud of. So the property just sits there. Incredible Canadian politicized frugality ensures mediocrity.

Maursault 5y ago
All it needs is for someone to come along with a vision for a residence for the Canadian head of state that embodies Canadian ideals, is environmentally conscious, appears timelessly grand, yet is inexpensive to construct and maintain. It'd be interesting if it somehow included a nod to Canada's logging and energy industries. It would be really cool if... since Superman is half-Canadian, being built with a Fortress of Solitude architectural theme, which would increase the desire of the head of state to live there. If built using dirt bags (an unfortunate name for an economical building material) using volunteer Canadian citizen labor, nearly all of the cost would be clearing the previous structure.
wmil 5y ago
This is just a classic example of how messed up Ottawa is. - Maintenance for 24 Sussex is under the control of the National Capital Commission (NCC). - The people who work at the NCC don't like doing their maintenance responsibilities. They like holding festivals. You need to scream and shout to get them to maintain buildings. - The press likes to jump on any politician screaming and shouting to get renovations. - The NCC will fight like hell to stop anyone from tearing down one of their buildings. Even if it is a piece of crap with little historic value. - 24 Sussex was built by a man trying to win back his wife, it wasn't built to last. The government got it on the cheap and used it because it looked nice and had a prime location. So they can't do the logical thing and replace the building with one built to last hundreds of years. Renovating it would cost a fortune and won't fix the fundamental problems.

Maursault 5y ago

All it needs is for someone to come along with a vision for a residence for the Canadian head of state that embodies Canadian ideals, is environmentally conscious, appears timelessly grand, yet is inexpensive to construct and maintain. It'd be interesting if it somehow included a nod to Canada's logging and energy industries. It would be really cool if... since Superman is half-Canadian, being built with a Fortress of Solitude architectural theme, which would increase the desire of the head of state to live there. If built using dirt bags (an unfortunate name for an economical building material) using volunteer Canadian citizen labor, nearly all of the cost would be clearing the previous structure.

wmil 5y ago

This is just a classic example of how messed up Ottawa is. - Maintenance for 24 Sussex is under the control of the National Capital Commission (NCC). - The people who work at the NCC don't like doing their maintenance responsibilities. They like holding festivals. You need to scream and shout to get them to maintain buildings. - The press likes to jump on any politician screaming and shouting to get renovations. - The NCC will fight like hell to stop anyone from tearing down one of their buildings. Even if it is a piece of crap with little historic value. - 24 Sussex was built by a man trying to win back his wife, it wasn't built to last. The government got it on the cheap and used it because it looked nice and had a prime location. So they can't do the logical thing and replace the building with one built to last hundreds of years. Renovating it would cost a fortune and won't fix the fundamental problems.