Commonwealth – Sweden‘s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrived in Ottawa Tuesday morning, where a sea of onlookers waving Swedish flags awaited the royal couple’s arrival outside Rideau Hall. Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joined the Canadian delegation in welcoming the royal couple. The monarchs are embarking on a three-day state visit that includes official engagements in Ottawa and Montreal.
During the formal welcome at Rideau Hall, the king underlined the close and friendly relationship between Sweden and Canada. It is a relation based on shared values and many years of mutual respect. He singled out one event as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations: Canada was the first country to ratify Sweden’s application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. For Sweden, it was its admission to NATO early last year, an end to historic military neutrality compelled by Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. Since becoming part of the alliance, Sweden has bolstered its commitment to Euro-Atlantic security with the deployment of troops into a Canadian-led brigade in Latvia.
The king also spoke to the importance of collaboration in the Arctic, emphasising that as Arctic nations, both countries are integral to the region’s challenges and to contributing to global stability and security. Wagner, who is acting in the place of Governor General Mary Simon while she recuperates from a recent illness, was scheduled to host a state dinner for the royal guests at Rideau Hall Tuesday night.
Later in the afternoon, Prime Minister Mark Carney received the king and queen in his office, where the Canadian government announced a new strategic partnership between Canada and Sweden. The deal is expected to open up a broad level of collaboration in multiple sectors, including defence, trade, clean energy, critical minerals, manufacturing, forestry, research, and life sciences. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the partnership will go a long way to benefit the two countries by strengthening their industrial linkages and promoting better opportunities for workers and businesses through an improved level of research cooperation, information sharing, and skill development. Among the key goals of the agreement is the reinforcement of Arctic and Euro-Atlantic security, with both countries promising certain commitments as NATO allies.
In a joint statement, Carney and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson affirmed that the relationship between the two nations was one of shared values and mutual strategic interests. The statement went on to add that this new partnership also fits within broader agreements between Canada and the European Union, opening up new avenues for economic and political cooperation. This state dinner at Rideau Hall highlighted the many points of connection that exist between the two nations. The Canadian and Swedish representatives reiterated the same appeal toward democracy, human rights, free trade, international cooperation, and sustainability. These themes reflected their long-standing friendship, which extends to cultural and sporting connections as well. The royal visit was also accompanied by a high-level Swedish delegation that included Industry Minister Ebba Busch and Defence Minister Pål Jonson, along with representatives from a number of Swedish companies. Busch made it clear that Sweden aims to deepen its relationship with Canada, especially when it comes to the defence and technology sectors. She also underscored Sweden’s ability to build advanced submarines, as well as fighter jets, two areas where Canada is currently increasing investments under pressure to meet NATO defence spending commitments. Swedish defence manufacturer Saab had previously been one of the finalists in Canada’s competition to replace its CF-18 fighter jets, although the contract was ultimately awarded to U.S.-based Lockheed Martin. The Canadian government had committed to buying 16 F-35A jets as part of a planned purchase of 88 aircraft. But the Carney government ordered a review of the deal amid the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States. Saab is now considering building its Gripen fighter jets in Canada to meet increasing demand worldwide. Talks between the company, Bombardier, and Ottawa include pitches that would mean thousands of Canadian jobs. The two companies collaborate on the Global Eye early warning surveillance aircraft, initially constructed in Canada and later equipped with sensors in Sweden. Saab has indicated a desire to move much of that work to Canadian facilities. The government, meanwhile, signalled its push to secure more industrial benefits and jobs from future defence deals. Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa wants to ensure better economic returns for Canada in the coming years.
