Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia were warmly welcomed to Ottawa by a small crowd of onlookers waving Swedish flags as they arrived at Rideau Hall on Tuesday morning. Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand were among the Canadian delegation members greeting the royal couple, who are embarking on a three-day state visit, with planned stops in the national capital and Montreal.
Expressing the strong bond between the two nations, King Carl XVI Gustaf highlighted the close and friendly partnership rooted in shared values and mutual respect during a brief speech outside Rideau Hall. He acknowledged Canada’s pivotal role as the first country to endorse Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Sweden joined NATO last year as a response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a shift from its traditional neutrality. The country has since bolstered its military presence by contributing troops to a Canadian-led brigade stationed on NATO’s eastern flank in Latvia.
Emphasizing their joint responsibility in addressing global challenges in the Arctic region and ensuring its security, King Carl XVI Gustaf reaffirmed the important role of Arctic nations.
Due to Governor General Mary Simon’s illness, Chief Justice Wagner stood in to host a state dinner in honor of the royal couple at Rideau Hall. Later, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the monarchs to sign a strategic partnership agreement encompassing defense, trade, environmental initiatives, and more, aiming to foster collaboration between Canadian and Swedish industries in various sectors.
The partnership seeks to enhance job opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and promote research cooperation, skill development, and information exchange. Additionally, it aims to reinforce collective security in the Arctic and Euro-Atlantic regions, aligning with the shared priorities of both nations as NATO allies.
A joint statement by Prime Minister Carney and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson underscored the close relationship based on shared values and interests, aligning with existing agreements between Canada and the European Union. Accompanying the royal couple are top Swedish government officials, including Industry Minister Ebba Busch and Defence Minister Pal Jonson, along with representatives from numerous Swedish companies.
Industry Minister Busch emphasized the strategic friendship between Sweden and Canada, particularly noting Sweden’s expertise in submarine and fighter jet manufacturing. This aligns with Canada’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities by purchasing submarines and fighter jets, as part of meeting its NATO commitments.
Furthermore, Saab, a prominent Swedish defense company, is exploring the possibility of assembling its Gripen fighter jets in Canada, potentially creating thousands of job opportunities. Talks are underway with Bombardier and the Canadian government to finalize this arrangement, building upon their existing partnership in manufacturing early warning surveillance aircraft.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly expressed the government’s intent to secure more industrial benefits from defense contracts, particularly highlighting the potential job creation through Saab’s production in Canada, estimated at around 10,000 jobs.
The Carney government has initiated a review of the contract for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A jets, awarded to replace Canada’s aging CF-18 Hornets fleet, amidst ongoing trade disputes with the United States. Saab’s consideration of local assembly for its Gripen jets reflects the growing demand for these aircraft, signaling a positive economic prospect for Canada.
Ultimately, the royal visit and the strategic partnership agreement symbolize the deepening ties between Sweden and Canada, fostering cooperation across various sectors and enhancing mutual prosperity.