Consulate General of Sweden, Montreal | |
---|---|
Location | Montreal |
Address | 800 Victoria Square, Suite 3500 [lower-alpha 1] P.O. Box 242, Montreal QC H4Z 1E9 Canada |
Coordinates | 45°30′02″N73°33′43″W / 45.50069°N 73.56200°W |
Opening | 1916 [lower-alpha 2] |
Closed | 1 July 1993 |
The Consulate General of Sweden, Montreal was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Montreal between 1916 and 1993. The consulate general originated from the consulate opened in 1906, which was converted into a consulate general in 1916. The consulate general tasks was to advance the interests of Sweden, and to serve and protect Swedes in Montreal and in different provinces and territories of Canada. Along with those in Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco, the consulate general belonged to the so-called "heritage consulates" due to the large number of inheritance cases it handled.
The consulate general's district comprised the whole of Canada until 1983. Between 1983 and 1991, divisions of the district occurred between the Swedish consulate general in Montreal, the consulate general in Toronto, and the consulate in Vancouver. From 1991 until its closure in 1993, the district consisted of Montreal and Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The consulate general in Montreal closed in 1993, and since then, a Swedish honorary consulate has been operating in the city.
The consulate was established by decision on 26 October 1906, with a district covering British North America excluding British Columbia. By decision of the Riksdag of 1912, a salary from an additional allocation for the consul in Montreal was established, and the Riksdag of 1913 approved King in Council's proposition regarding the establishment of this consulate on regular terms (salary 19,000 kronor). In this context, the consul was also given precedence over the consul in Victoria, British Columbia, so that the former's district would henceforth encompass all of Canada (including British Columbia). In December 1915, the King in Council appointed and commissioned the former Cabinet Minister, Consul General in availability, Ph.D. David Bergström, as consul in Montreal from 1 January 1916, and also appointed Consul General Bergström to be Consul General in British North America. [1] In December 1915, the King in Council appointed and commissioned former cabinet minister Dr. David Bergström as Consul in Montreal, effective 1 January 1916, and concurrently appointed Consul Bergström to serve as Consul General in British North America. [2]
In the beginning of 1916, the Committee of Supply approved the King in Council's proposal to replace the consulate in Montreal with a consulate general, and an annual salary of 26,000 kronor. Fredrik Vilhelm Thorsson and August Sävström , among others, opposed this and proposed rejection. In the first chamber, Mr. Lindblad from Gothenburg opposed the proposal and reminded that the consulate in Montreal had been built with regular state funds in 1913. Even though the consulate had received more work due to increased emigration to Canada, it was not considered necessary to elevate it to a consulate general, especially just before the Riksdag was to convene. Herman Kvarnzelius from the committee assured that they had thoroughly investigated the matter and found that a consulate general in Montreal was justified, considering its extensive workload and the importance of promoting trade and industry. However, Thorsson argued that Sweden's interests would be better served with an additional consulate in Canada and deemed it premature to increase expenditures for consular purposes in Montreal, especially considering the increase that had already occurred from 19,000 to 37,000 SEK. Foreign Minister Knut Agathon Wallenberg explained the need for a consulate in Montreal and emphasized the country's significance for trade relations. He believed that the proposed salary was necessary to ensure a competent representative in Canada. He also defended the proposal to elevate the consulate to a consulate general citing its increased influence and capacity to do more than a regular consulate. Despite objections from several members, the chamber eventually approved the committee's proposal. [3] On 29 February 1916, the Foreign Office in London approved of David Bergström as Consul of Sweden at Montreal for British North America with the exception of British Columbia, and Consul-General for British North America. [4]
In the 1943 American Investigation (Amerikautredningen), a preliminary report aimed to strengthen and streamline Swedish diplomatic representation and information activities in North and South America. Considering Canada's growing importance, they proposed that the existing consulate general in Montreal was inadequate and that a diplomatic mission should be established in Ottawa. It was suggested that the envoy would also serve as consul general in Montreal. [5] To support this representation, the King in Council's proposition to the Riksdag suggested placing two mid-level officials at the mission, one to handle commercial matters and the other for general affairs, especially probate matters. Despite the need for expanded consular representation, experts did not propose establishing new consulates in Canada at present, but they suggested that the proposed trade attaché in San Francisco should also focus on Swedish interests on the Canadian West Coast. Since Canada's political and commercial significance had increased significantly, it was proposed that Swedish representation in the country should have a diplomatic character. They noted that many non-British countries had already established missions in Ottawa, and they also highlighted the significant Swedish population in Canada as further justification for strengthening Swedish representation. To bolster the staff, they proposed appointing a higher-ranking legation secretary. [6] In August 1943, the Swedish government decided to establish a mission in Ottawa and close the consulate general in Montreal. Per Wijkman , the consul general in Montreal, was appointed as envoy to Ottawa. [7]
In 1949, a legation office was established in Montreal under the jurisdiction of the legation in Ottawa. [8] The chancery lasted until 1953, [9] when the consulate general was re-established.
In December 1992, it was announced that a number of Swedish embassies and consulates would be closed. The decision was to be made as part of the state budget presented on 11 January 1993. For Canada, this meant that the consulate general in Montreal (with two Ministry for Foreign Affairs employees) and in Toronto (with three diplomatic staff) would be closed. [10] During the budget year 1993/94, the consulate general in Montreal, like many other public sectors, faced extensive cost-cutting measures and rationalizations. Achieving a smaller but more efficient administration required not only general thriftiness but also structural changes. In order to reduce costs and improve efficiency, the Swedish government proposed replacing ten diplomatic missions with alternative representations starting from 1 July 1993, including the consulate general in Montreal, which would be converted into an honorary consulate or consulate general. These measures aimed to reduce costs by replacing career consulates and embassies with cheaper alternatives while simultaneously enhancing coordination between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm and its diplomatic missions with fixed representation. [11]
The consulate, along with those in Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco, belonged to the so-called heritage consulates due to the large number of inheritance cases the consulate handled. Legal advisors were attached to them, and they handled, among other things, inheritance cases. [12]
During the tenure of the consulate general, there were subordinate consulates: Calgary, Chatham, Dawson City, Edmonton, Hamilton, Halifax, Kenora, Newcastle, Newfoundland, Port Arthur, Quebec City, Saint John, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg. [12]
The consulate's district until 1983 encompassed the whole of Canada. [13] In 1983, the Swedish consulate in Vancouver opened, and from the following year, the consulate took over the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, as well as the territory of Yukon, from the consulate general in Montreal. [14] From 1985 to 1990, the district of the consulate general consisted of Montreal, as well as the provinces and territories of Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. [15] [16] From 1991 to 1993, the district consisted of Montreal, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. [17] [18] In 1991, the Swedish consulate general in Toronto opened, taking over responsibility for Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. [17]
From at least 1914 to 1915, the chancery was located in the Canadian Express Building at 95 McGill Street, Room 516–517. [19] [20] From 1916 to 1929, the chancery was located in the Drummond Building at 511 Saint Catherine Street West in Downtown Montreal. [21] [22] From 1930 to 1937, the chancery was located at 1117 Saint Catherine Street West in Downtown Montreal. [23] [24] From 1938 to 1943, the chancery was located at 1462 Bishop Street West in Downtown Montreal. [25] [26] At the same address, the embassy office was located in 1949. [8]
From 1950 to 1953, the embassy office was located at Bishop Court Apartments on 1511 Bishop Street. [27] [9] Subsequently, the consulate general's chancery was located at the same address from 1954 to 1959. [28] [29] From 1960 to April 1962, the chancery was located at 2055 Bishop Street. On 1 May 1962, it moved to the newly built CIBC Tower, Suite 800, 1155 Dorchester Boulevard West (renamed René Lévesque Boulevard in 1987) in Downtown Montreal. [30] [31] It remained here for over 30 years until the consulate general closed in 1993. [18]
From at least 1965 to 1966, the consul general's residence was located at 3460 Simpson Street in the Golden Square Mile neighborhood. [32] [33] From 1966 onward, the residence was located at 2801 Hill Park Circle next to Beaver Lake on Mount Royal. [34]
Name | Period | Title | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Consulate (1906–1916) | ||||
Gustaf Erik Gylling | 14 December 1906 – 30 October 1908 | Consul | [1] | |
Hamilton Gault | 30 April 1909 – 10 November 1911 | Honorary consul general | [1] | |
Einar Henrik Lindquist | 1 July 1911 – 22 November 1912 | Acting consul | [1] | |
Gylfe Anderberg | 31 December 1913 – 10 December 1915 | Consul | Acting on 22 November 1912. | [1] [2] |
David Bergström | 10 December 1915 – 18 December 1916 | Consul | Consul in Montreal and acting consul general in British North America. | [35] |
Consulate general (1916–1993) | ||||
David Bergström | 19 December 1916 – 1918 | Consul general | [35] | |
Carl Otto (Carlo) von Dardel | 1918–1921 | Acting consul general | [36] | |
Magnus Clarholm | 1921 – 1 July 1936 | Consul general | [37] [38] | |
Constans Lundquist | 1936–1939 | Consul general | With jurisdiction in Newfoundland. | [39] [40] |
Gustaf Löwenhard | 1 January 1940 – 1941 | Consul general | [41] [42] | |
Hugo Tamm | 1941–1941 | Acting consul general | [43] | |
Per Wijkman | 1 April 1941 – 1943 | Consul general | [44] [26] | |
– | 1944–1953 | – | Embassy office in Montreal between 1949 and 1953. | [8] [9] |
August von Hartmansdorff | 1953–1956 | Acting consul general | [45] | |
Olof Ripa | 1956–1959 | Consul & acting consul general | [46] | |
Olof Ripa | 1959–1960 | Consul general | [47] | |
Ingvar Grauers | 1960–1963 | Acting consul general | [48] | |
Ingvar Grauers | 1963–1965 | Consul general | [32] | |
Stig Engfeldt | 1966 – 13 August 1969 | Consul general | Died in office. | [49] [50] [51] |
Gösta Brunnström | 1969–1972 | Consul general | [52] | |
Sten Aminoff | 1972–1973 | Acting consul general | [53] | |
Sten Aminoff | 1973–1974 | Consul general | [54] | |
Olof Bjurström | 1975–1980 | Consul general | [55] | |
Claës Erik Winberg | 1980–1985 | Consul general | Also accredited to Nassau, Bahamas from 1981. | [15] [56] |
Bengt Rösiö | 1985–1990 | Consul general | [16] | |
Karin Ahrland | 1990–1993 | Consul general | [18] | |
Honorary consulate (1993–present) | ||||
Marie Giguere | 1993–1997 | Honorary consul | [57] | |
Lionel P. Hurtubise | 1997–2002 | Honorary consul | [58] | |
Daniel Johnson Jr. | 2002–2020 | Honorary consul | [59] | |
Jocelyn Auger | 2020–present | Honorary consul | [60] | |
Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Thailand. The ambassador is also accredited to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Sweden also has four honorary consulates in Thailand: in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin.
The Embassy of Sweden in Rome is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Italy. The Swedish embassy in Rome dates back to the 1450s and is thus the oldest in the world. Birger Månsson was sent to Rome because the Swedish government wanted to improve the relationship with the Pope. Today, the embassy is also a representation at the UN agencies in Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The ambassador has a dual accreditation in San Marino.
The Embassy of Sweden in Paris is Sweden's diplomatic mission in France.
The Embassy of Sweden in Mexico City is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Mexico. The mission of the embassy is to represent Swedish interests in Mexico, as well as to strengthen bilateral relations within the governmental, commercial, business, academic, cultural and civil society spheres, with a particular emphasis on cooperation for sustainable development.
The Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi is Sweden's diplomatic mission in India. The embassy is headed by the ambassador of Sweden to India. The embassy is situated in Chanakyapuri, the diplomatic enclave of New Delhi, where most of the embassies in India are located. The Swedish embassy is responsible for the honorary consulates in India, located in Kolkata and Chennai, and the Swedish consulate general in Mumbai. The ambassador of New Delhi is also accredited to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
The Consulate General of Sweden is the diplomatic mission of Sweden in New York City. It is located at One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in Turtle Bay, Manhattan, near the headquarters of the United Nations. The consulate general originated from the consulate opened in 1834, which was converted into an consulate general in 1914. The consulate general's district includes the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The consulate general offers various consular services like passport applications, citizenship matters, and name registration, alongside providing assistance to Swedes in emergencies. It also works on fostering cultural and economic ties, organizing events to promote Swedish culture in the northeastern United States. Additionally, it facilitates information sharing about Sweden, and promotes exchanges between Swedish and American organizations.
The Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Canada. The Swedish embassy in Canada represents the Swedish government in Canada and The Bahamas. The embassy is located in ByWard Market in the downtown core of the capital of Ottawa. Ambassador since 2019 is Urban Ahlin. Sweden also has nine honorary consulates in Canada.
Nils Ivar (Nils-Ivar) Carlborg was a Swedish Army officer. He started the paratrooper training in Sweden and founded the Swedish Army Paratroop School of which he was its first commander (1952–1953). He later served as head of the Military Academy Karlberg (1964–1969) and as commander of Stockholm Defence District (1969–1973) and as the Commandant of Stockholm (1969–1973).
The Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Japan. The mission was opened in 1906. It's located in the Roppongi district in Minato, Tokyo since 1959. The current embassy building was inaugurated in 1991. The ambassador since 2019 is Pereric Högberg. The ambassador has a dual accreditation to Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
The Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria is Sweden's diplomatic mission in South Africa. The Swedish embassy in South Africa represents the Swedish government in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho. The embassy is located in the suburb of Hatfield in the capital of Pretoria. The ambassador since 2020 is Håkan Juholt.
The Embassy of Sweden in Dublin is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Ireland. When Ireland became independent, Sweden was one of the countries that early established diplomatic relations with Ireland. The embassy has its origins in the legation that was opened in 1946, which in turn has its origins in the Swedish consulate that was opened in 1926. The embassy closed in 2010 and reopened in 2023.
The Embassy of Sweden in Beijing is Sweden's diplomatic mission in China. The embassy's task is to represent Sweden, the Swedish government in China and to promote Swedish interests. Trade promotion and development cooperation are other tasks for the embassy, as well as press and culture issues and migration and consular services. The embassy's sphere of responsibility includes Mongolia. The ambassador has a dual accreditation to Ulaanbaatar.
The Consulate General of Sweden, Los Angeles was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Los Angeles between 1980 and 1995, as well as between 1998 and 2009. The consulate general had its origins in the honorary vice consulate opened in 1910, which was transformed into an honorary consulate in 1955 and an honorary consulate general in 1969. The main tasks of the consulate general were to disseminate information about Sweden and Swedish collaboration opportunities, promote business activities through various events, and handle consular matters and assistance to Swedish citizens in the western United States.
The Consulate General of Sweden, San Francisco is the diplomatic mission of Sweden in San Francisco, California. It is located at 595 Market Street in the Financial District.
The Consulate General of Sweden, Minneapolis was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Minneapolis between 1963 and 1989. The consulate originated from the honorary vice consulate opened in 1908, which was converted into a consulate in 1934 and into a consulate general in 1963. Along with those in New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Chicago, and Houston, the consulate belonged to the so-called "heritage consulates" due to the large number of inheritance cases it handled.
The Consulate General of Sweden, Chicago was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Chicago between 1943 and 1993. The consulate general originated from the honorary vice consulate opened in 1852, which was converted into an honorary consulate in 1908, and into a consulate in 1913 and finally into a consulate general in 1943. The consulate general tasks was to advance the interests of Sweden, and to serve and protect Swedes in Chicago and different states in the Midwestern United States. Along with those in Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, and Houston, the consulate general belonged to the so-called "heritage consulates" due to the large number of inheritance cases it handled.
The Consulate General of Sweden, Houston was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Houston between 1963 and 1981. The consulate general originated from the consulate opened in 1950, which was converted into a consulate general in 1963. The consulate general tasks was to advance the interests of Sweden, and to serve and protect Swedes in Houston and different states in the Southern United States. Along with those in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, and Montreal, the consulate general belonged to the so-called "heritage consulates" due to the large number of inheritance cases it handled.
The Consulate General of Sweden, London was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in London between 1859 and 1973. The consulate general originated from the consulate opened in 1722, which was converted into a consulate general in 1850. The tasks of the consulate general included consular services, promotion of trade relations, cultural and political relations, matters concerning the maritime industry, and more.
The Embassy of Sweden, Brussels was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Brussels between 1837 and 2011. The mission was elevated from legation to embassy in 1956. The embassy in Brussels had a bilateral role, focusing on enhancing Sweden's relations with Belgium. It housed a consular section offering services to Swedish citizens and individuals with Swedish connections. Additionally, the embassy hosted the Swedish Trade Council's office as its trade section. The ambassador's responsibilities included maintaining continuous dialogue with the Belgian government, especially regarding EU affairs, and fostering economic and cultural ties between Belgium and Sweden. Since 2011, a Stockholm-based ambassador has been responsible for the bilateral relations between Sweden and Belgium. In 2020, Sweden opened a consulate general in Brussels with a focus on consular activities.
The Consulate General of Sweden, Mumbai is the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Mumbai. The consulate general traces its origins to the Swedish honorary consulate in Bombay, established in 1857 to support trade and shipping within the Bombay Presidency. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the consulate was mainly managed by foreign merchants. Starting in 1930, Swedish businessmen in India were appointed as honorary consuls. This changed in 1942 when the career consulate general moved from Calcutta to Bombay, elevating the consulate's status. However, in 1948, the consulate general in Bombay was closed, and its responsibilities were transferred to the newly established legation in New Delhi.