Stephen Harper gets flak for not spending $10 million on 24 Sussex Drive

The prime minister's official residence is in need of significant repairs but Stephen Harper, leading by example, says the time is not right to spend $10 million for the upgrades.

Oddly, Harper is taking heat for making a seemingly sound decision in a time of financial austerity.

"What Mr. Harper faces is a choice between doing the right thing for Canadian heritage — which is moving out and getting the place fixed up — or managing the optics of spending money when his government is trying to save and economize," retired professor of political studies at Queen's University Ned Franks told the National Post.

Some readers of the Post article also lambasted the prime minister.

"This is very irresponsible of his majesty. National heritage sites need to be maintained and refurbished in order that repairs and such don't mount up and end up costing the taxpayer even more in the longer run," wrote Statmeup.

"Kick him out. That building is historic and should get all the repairs it needs now. The PM is not a dictator and it's not even HIS house. It's our house," exclaimed Guardian Bob.

In living up to their contrarian role, the New Democrats concur with Franks.

"It's a false economy to think you're saving money by delaying maintenance," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.), chair of the Government Operations and Estimates Committee, told The Hill Times.

"It's actually reckless and irresponsible stewardship of our national assets. This issue has become a metaphor for the prime minister's stubborn, intransigent nature, which surfaces regularly."

It's a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't for Harper.

Sara MacIntyre, Harper's press secretary, says the prime minister and his family are finding 24 Sussex "adequate to their needs" and see "no need for a substantial renovation program at this time."

Can you imagine what the headlines would read if Harper did move forward with the renovations:

"Harper spends $10 million on home renos while cutting (enter program name here)."

(Screen shot: canadascapital.gc.ca)