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“I can confirm his full understanding and agreement with what we discussed, i.e., we would be very pleased to welcome the Trudeau family for whatever length of time is required for work on 24 Sussex,” Wallace wrote.

“The GG was well aware that some of the options could be in the three-to-four-year range, and would have no difficulty with the Trudeau family staying that long at Rideau Cottage,” his email says.

Should one of those options be chosen, Trudeau could be shut out of his official residence for his entire term as prime minister. By law, the next federal election must be held on Oct. 21, 2019.

Wallace’s email is the first clear indication of the possible timeline for 24 Sussex’s restoration or replacement. The NCC has had little to say since Kristmanson spoke about the project during an early December interview with the Citizen.

At that time, Kristmanson said the NCC was reviewing past reports on 24 Sussex and planning further studies to address “gaps in our knowledge,” and didn’t know when it would brief Trudeau on the options.

It’s unclear whether that has happened yet. Cameron Ahmad, Trudeau’s press secretary, said Thursday no decision on 24 Sussex has yet been taken, but wouldn’t “elaborate on the process at this time.”

In an email, Nicholas Galletti, the NCC’s director of strategic media, said it was premature to discuss any specifics.

“However, the NCC is ensuring that issues related to security, functionality, environmental sustainability, design excellence and heritage preservation are taken into consideration in our preparations.”