Stop funding Stornoway residence
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to stop funding Stornoway as a private residence for the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Why we would sign this petition
- Stops public funding of a private official residence, reducing ongoing operating and staffing costs.
- Implements a direct cost-saving measure after the government's call for efficiency by removing a government-managed, closed-to-public property.
- Responds to petitioners' claim that Canada alone funds such a residence among Western democracies, addressing perceptions of special privilege.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- May impair the Opposition leader's capacity to host meetings, receive dignitaries or perform representational duties that a residence can facilitate.
- Net savings could be limited after accounting for relocation, security, staff changes or alternative accommodation costs.
- The petition provides no implementation plan or safeguards, creating uncertainty about continuity of official functions and legal or constitutional issues.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons As Canada enters a building phase, Prime Minister Mark Carney asked for cost saving ideas; Since 1950, Stornoway, 541 Acacia Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, has been the official residence of Canada’s Leader of the Official Opposition; The main building has 19 main rooms, approximately 9,500 square feet (883 meters); Stornoway is served by a staff of three: a chef, chauffeur, and household administrator; The National Capital Commission manages this property, which is closed to the public; Canada is the only western democracy to fund a residence for the Official Opposition; This cost saving petition is deliberately silent on implementation. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to stop funding Stornoway as a private residence for the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Government response
No government response is available yet.