The Canadian prime ministers' residence, 24 Sussex Drive, on the banks of the Ottawa River in Ottawa, 2015.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
When a lumber baron first built a home for his wife 24 Sussex Drive, he described it as a place of peace, but now it has become a place of rodents.
Documents from National Capital Commission say the rodent infestation in the official residence of Canada’s prime minister is so severe that the walls, attic and basement are filled with carcasses and excrement.
The issues were first reported by the National Post newspaper, which obtained the documents through the access-to-information law.
The National Capital Commission has now published the documents and says the rodent problem is causing air quality concerns.
After 60 years of mounting repairs, the commission moved the final group of staff out of the building last year for health and safety reasons.
The organization says the rodent problem cannot be addressed until issues with the building’s exterior walls, foundation, roof and windows are fixed.