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“It should be returned to the transitional government, and through them it would be redistributed appropriately in the rebuilding of the country,” said Amal Abuzgaya, the Council spokeswoman.

She said Col. Gaddafi had centralized Libya’s economy, and pocketed much of its wealth. Gaddafi’s children, in particular, were known for their lavish lifestyles. “And you see things like this which are just disgusting, where they’re spending millions,” Ms. Abuzgaya said. “I mean, how often did he come to Canada, really, to have a $1.5-million penthouse?”

She said there is a dire need for cash in Libya and Canada should be tracking down the money and assets stashed away by the regime. “It’s very important that the Canadian government looks into every single asset that is here and returns that, by all means.”

The tall building, in a shell almost exclusively made of glass, is a stone’s throw from the Rogers Centre, home field of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the burgeoning CityPlace community. Next door to Mr. Gaddafi’s building, there is a Montessori daycare and a Dairy Queen.

The entrance has wood-paneled accents and the lobby is simply decorated, with boxy, cream-coloured couches, red poinsettias on the tables and a decorated Christmas tree beside a box for toy donations.

Saadi Gaddafi, 38, once a professional soccer player and later a businessman, was never as keenly involved in his father’s regime as his brother, Saif Al-Islam. He visited Canada about once a year to talk business, take courses and enjoy the Toronto nightlife, and once threw a party during the Toronto International Film Festival. Despite owning a condo, he preferred staying at hotels.