Stornoway (residence)
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Stornoway is the name of the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Canada. It is provided in recognition of the opposition leader's position. Located at 541 Acacia Avenue in the Rockcliffe Park area of Ottawa, Stornoway is valued at over C$2 million and is maintained with $70,000 a year in government funds. It is geographically quite far away from Ottawa's Parliament Buildings, unlike the Prime Minister's official residence.
During the Second World War, it served as the temporary home-in-exile of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and her family.
Stornoway has served its present purpose since 1950 when it was purchased by a group of concerned citizens, and later transferred to the government. In 1993, the house became an issue when Bloc Québécois leader Lucien Bouchard declined to move into the residence as a mark of protest against the federal government, choosing instead to live in nearby Hull, Quebec. Following the 1997 election, the new opposition leader, Preston Manning, declined to move in for a different reason: he protested that it was too extravagant and a waste of taxpayer money. Manning asked that he be provided with a more 'modest' residence, but soon relented and moved into Stornoway to much public snickering.
Subsequent opposition leaders have taken advantage of Stornoway and other perks that come with the job, including a car and driver, and a significant pay raise over a normal Member of Parliament.
Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is the current resident of Stornoway.
Other Canadian official residences
- Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) - Residence of the Governor General
- La Citadelle (Quebec City) -- Residence of the Governor General in Quebec City
- 24 Sussex Drive (Ottawa) - Residence of the Prime Minister
- Harrington Lake (Gatineau Park) - Prime Minister's retreat
- The Farm (Gatineau Park) - Residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons
- 7 Rideau Gate (Ottawa) - Official guest house of the Canadian government