Canada is so cabin-obsessed, our Prime Minister has an official cabin.
Canada loves cabin life so much that even our Prime Minister has an official cabin to escape to. Yes, you read that right – nestled in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec, about half an hour outside Ottawa, lies Harrington Lake, the Prime Minister’s very own lakeside retreat.
It’s as if the whole country decided that running Canada is hard work, so our leader deserves a cottage getaway just like the rest of us. This unique spot isn’t just a perk of the job; it’s a cherished national institution with a fascinating history that reflects Canada’s deep connection to nature and cabin culture.
A Cabin Fit for a Prime Minister
Harrington Lake (known in French as Lac Mousseau) is the official country residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. We'd like to think that Canada’s “official cabin” is a better name – it's a place where our head of government can swap the suit for a plaid shirt and enjoy some R&R by the water. Located in the heart of Gatineau Park, Quebec, roughly 35 kilometers northwest of downtown Ottawa, it's a secluded estate not too-far away providing a tranquil spot for the Prime Minister to rest, reflect, and even hold informal meetings in peace.
The property is closed to the public, which means no, you can’t book it for a weekend getaway. That's no surprise - part of cabin living is the escape from crowds and privacy of nature, something the Prime Minister certainly needs too!
At first glance, the residence looks like a grand old cottage – and that’s exactly what it is. The main house is a 16-room, two-and-a-half-storey home built in the 1920s by Ottawa lumber baron Colonel Cameron Macpherson Edwards. It was designed in a Colonial Revival style, complete with fieldstone chimneys and an inviting verandah, embodying the “casual, rustic” cottage feel typical of its era.
Stone fireplaces and open verandahs were de rigueur for Canadian cottage design in those days, and Harrington Lake’s architecture still exudes that cozy, old-fashioned cabin charm. The estate also includes a few smaller guest cabins, a staff cottage, and a boathouse with docks – everything you’d need for a proper lakefront hideaway.
From Private Lodge to National Retreat
How did this private lakeside lodge turn into the Prime Minister’s personal cabin? The transformation is a classic Canadian tale.
The federal government purchased the Harrington Lake property in 1951 as part of a plan to preserve forested lands around the capital. For a few years, it was simply a scenic spot under government care.
But then along came Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1957 – Canada’s first PM from Western Canada – who, unlike his predecessors, didn’t have a cottage nearby for weekend escapes. Sensing an opportunity, the estate’s caretaker, Stanley Healey, famously took Diefenbaker fishing on Harrington Lake and won his support for creating an official PM retreat.
The fishing trip was a success: Diefenbaker was hooked (pun entirely intended).
By 1959, Harrington Lake was formally designated as the country residence for Canada’s prime ministers. Since then, every Prime Minister from Diefenbaker onward has been able to use this cabin-on-a-lake as a sanctuary away from Ottawa’s hustle and bustle.
History in the Lake-ing
Over the decades, Harrington Lake has witnessed more than its share of history.
It’s where Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, in the fall of 1964, tested out designs for Canada’s new flag by flying prototypes on the cottage flagpole – ultimately deciding on the now-iconic Maple Leaf design after seeing which one looked best flapping in the breeze.
Harrington Lake has welcomed some illustrious visitors as well. Diefenbaker and US President Eisenhower went fishing together on the lake - sometimes called Canada's Camp David. Princess Margaret stopped by during a visit to Canada, and more recently Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton enjoyed a private lakeside outing there as newlyweds in 2011.
Not too shabby for a cabin, eh?
Of course, Harrington Lake is more than just a backdrop for VIP visits – it’s a working retreat too.
Prime Ministers have used it both for downtime with their families and for hosting foreign dignitaries in a laid-back Canadian setting. Picture a diplomatic negotiation on the dock overlooking the water, or a canoe paddle with an international guest to break the ice. The site offers facilities for official business as well as leisure, striking a Canadian balance between work and play.
A Symbol of Canadian Cabin Culture
Beyond the anecdotes, Harrington Lake carries a lot of symbolism in Canadian hearts. For one, it underscores how ingrained the cabin (or “cottage”) tradition is in Canada’s identity. The very fact that our country maintains an official lakeside cottage for its leader speaks volumes.
In many ways, Harrington Lake is a physical embodiment of Canadian values: a respect for nature, a love of the outdoors, and an understanding that no matter who you are, there’s something rejuvenating about a weekend at the lake.
The estate’s dual name – Harrington Lake in English, Lac Mousseau in French – also reflects Canada’s bilingual heritage. Just as English and French cultures live side by side in our nation, both names are used for this place, highlighting the multicultural history of our country. Heritage experts note that the Prime Minister’s cottage reinforces the picturesque character of its natural surroundings and stands as a symbol of the Prime Minister’s office within the region. In short, it’s a vacation home - but also a piece of living national heritage.
There’s a down-to-earth message in Harrington Lake’s very existence: even at the highest levels of power, kicking back by a pristine lake, hearing loons call at dusk, and enjoying a rustic evening by the fireplace are experiences to be cherished.
Even Prime Ministers Need a Lake Escape
Perhaps the most endearing aspect of Harrington Lake is how relatable it makes our leaders. After all, who hasn’t daydreamed at the office about getting away to the cottage? It turns out Prime Ministers are no different. The country’s top job comes with intense pressures, and the cabin at Harrington Lake is a refuge where the Prime Minister can unwind just like any other Canadian – by casting a fishing line, paddling a canoe, barbecuing on the porch, or simply spending quiet time with family.
Former PM Stephen Harper was known to reel in trout on the lake (he even once brought along Toronto’s mayor for a fishing trip), and Justin Trudeau – an avid outdoorsman – has often been spotted canoeing and swimming there with his kids. It’s comforting to imagine that after long days of parliamentary debates, even the Prime Minister enjoys roasting marshmallows by the campfire.
Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited before (as a guest of former PM Harper) but there are yet to be any reports of him visiting since he became Prime Minister. That's sure to come as the weather warms up!
So the next time you head “up north” for a weekend, know that you and the Prime Minister have something in common – a special appreciation for cabin living.
Harrington Lake, Canada’s official cabin, shows that no matter how high-powered life in Ottawa gets, a little lakeside serenity is not just a getaway, but a uniquely Canadian way of life.
