New federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre plans to move into Stornoway, the residence provided for the Leader of the Opposition. “Of course he will be moving to Stornoway,” Anthony Koch, a spokesman for Mr. Poilievre, said in a text message in response to a Globe and Mail query. Mr. Koch said the timing of the move to the mansion in Ottawa’s affluent Rockcliffe neighborhood is uncertain at this time. Mr. Poilievre has been an MP for the Ottawa region since 2004, and has lived with his family in the capital region. Opinion: In the world of politics, Pierre Poilievre has it figured out Opinion: In Pierre Poilievre, Justin Trudeau may have met his match Mr Koch did not respond to requests for comment on the Conservative leader’s views on the planned move. Whether to commit to Stornoway is an issue that has puzzled previous opposition leaders. In 1997, Reform Party leader Preston Manning moved after previously saying that Stornoway should be turned into a bingo hall and its proceeds used to pay off the national debt. NDP MP Charlie Angus, who has visited Stornoway in the past, said Mr. Poilievre’s plans to move into the residence suggest his comments about the affordability challenges Canadians face may have been politically motivated, but not cordially. “If you want to live the good life, you don’t get any better than Stornoway – a cook at home to make your meals, an endless drinks budget, the parties there are very strange,” Mr Angus said. “If Pierre Poilievre was really serious about shaking up Ottawa, he could send a clear message by staying out of Stornoway,” he said. “This is about living the high life and getting the taxpayer to pay for it.” Mr Angus said Mr Poilievre calls anyone who disagrees with him an elitist or a gatekeeper. “It’s as elite as it gets. I’ve been to a few events in Stornoway and it’s very fancy.” Reform Party leader Preston Manning walks with his wife, Sandra, in Stornoway on June 10, 1999. Dave Chan/The Globe and Mail Stornoway was built in 1913 and became the official residence of Canada’s leader of the opposition in 1950. Its maintenance is publicly funded. The National Capital Commission – the federal Crown corporation whose remit includes managing public housing – spent about $170,000 on repairs and renovations at Stornoway before Erin O’Toole, the former Conservative leader, moved in with his family in September 2020. There was a cost of about $20,000 to prepare for interim leader Candice Bergen to move into the residence, although she was only going to be leader for several months. The residence, according to the National Capital Commission website, sits on 0.42 hectares of land and covers 9,500 square feet. The NCC website says Stornoway is in “fair condition” but requires $1.25 million of work over the next 10 years to deal with deferred maintenance. Meanwhile, Quebec MP Alain Rayes, who announced this week he was leaving the Conservative caucus because of the confrontational style of politics associated with Mr. Poilievre, said voters in Richmond-Arthabaska are getting messages that they are asking his resignation. Mr. Rayes, who supported Jean Charest in the leadership race, provided a copy of the text, which says he has decided not to fight Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inflation with Mr. Poilievre’s united team and urges recipients to call his office and ask for his resignation. Mr. Koch did not respond to requests for comment on the text. For subscribers: Get exclusive political news and analysis by subscribing to Politics Update.
