The Farm (Canada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The FarmLa Ferme (French) |
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The Farm in autumn 2007
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| General information | |
| Type | Official residence |
| Town or city | Kingsmere, Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°29′00″N 75°50′52″W / 45.48333°N 75.84778°W |
| Current tenants | Anthony Rota, Speaker of the House of Commons |
| Owner | The Queen in Right of Canada |
| Landlord | National Capital Commission |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 5,000 square feet (460 m2) |
| Grounds | 1.74 hectares (4.3 acres) |
The Farm (French: La Ferme) is a special old house in Kingsmere, Quebec, Canada. It is the official home for the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. This person is like the referee for debates in Canada's Parliament.
The Farm is located inside Gatineau Park, close to Ottawa, Canada's capital city. The National Capital Commission has taken care of The Farm since 1986. The Speaker also has a small apartment in Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The Farm and its large grounds, about 1.74 hectares (4.3 acres), are not open to visitors.
History of The Farm Residence
The Farm started as a regular farm. A settler named Henry Fleury built it in the mid-1800s. Later, a very important person bought it.
William Lyon Mackenzie King's Home
William Lyon Mackenzie King was Canada's 10th Prime Minister of Canada. He bought this farm in 1927. He wanted to add it to his country estate near Kingsmere Lake.
In 1935, King made big changes to the house. He added two new sections. He also put in heating and indoor plumbing. This made it a comfortable summer home for him.
Becoming an Official Residence
After King stopped being Prime Minister, he spent more time at The Farm. He passed away there on July 22, 1950. In his will, he gave his entire country estate to the Canadian government and people. He hoped future prime ministers would use The Farm.
However, another house, 24 Sussex Drive, was already chosen as the Prime Minister's official home. So, in 1955, The Farm became the official residence for the Speaker of the House of Commons instead. The land around The Farm became part of Gatineau Park.
