The federal government of Canada is forbidding the
construction of new embassies on Ottawa’s Sussex Drive following a stark
RCMP assessment of the potential for “violent events” in the
high-profile neighbourhood.
Countries
with diplomatic missions already located on the well-known boulevard
include the United States, France, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and South
Africa.
It is also home to Rideau Hall, where the
Governor General lives, as well as the prime minister’s residence at 24
Sussex. Justin Trudeau and his family are living in a house on the
Rideau Hall grounds while federal officials consider badly needed
renovations to the traditional address of Canada’s leader.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion was
advised of the ban on new embassies in January by Daniel Jean, then his
deputy minister, records released under the Access to Information Act
show. Jean has since been named national security adviser to the prime
minister.
“A recently concluded RCMP
security assessment advises against any additional foreign embassies
being located along Sussex Drive,” says Jean’s memo to Dion, obtained by
The Canadian Press.
“As a result, the department will no longer be approving requests by diplomatic missions to acquire land in the affected zone.”
Canada
requires foreign states to obtain its consent before buying property
for use as diplomatic chancery offices or official residences.
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