There are moments when the NDP’s new role as Official Opposition sinks in, and certainly one was the opening of Stornaway, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, which is occupied by the party for the first time.
On Wednesday night, the NDP held their annual summer party at the residence, giving members, staff and others a glimpse of this historic building.
With Leader Jack Layton welcoming all “to the people’s house”, the NDP celebrated with its traditional summer bbq fare, and with a DJ blasting tunes ranging from Lady Gaga to MIA into the late hours of the evening.
Here are a few images from the evening.
See more photos on Flickr.
Stornaway has been used as the house for the Official Opposition since 1950.
Present and previous residents of the house include:
Jack Layton 2011–
Michael Ignatieff 2009–2011
Stéphane Dion 2006–2008
Bill Graham 2006
Stephen Harper 2002–2004, 2004–2006
John Reynolds 2004
Stockwell Day 2000–2001
Preston Manning 1997–2000
Jean Chrétien 1990–1993
John Turner 1984–1990
Brian Mulroney 1983–1984
Pierre Trudeau 1979–1980
Joe Clark 1976–1979, 1980–1983
Robert Stanfield 1968–1976
John Diefenbaker 1963–1967
Lester B. Pearson 1958–1963
George A. Drew 1950–1955
Dutch Royal Family 1942–1945, leased to them by Perley-Robertson
Mr and Mrs Irvine Perley-Robertson 1923–1941
Ascanio Joseph Major 1914–1923, local grocer