Consulate General of Sweden, Montreal

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.

Consulate General of Sweden, Montreal
Location	Montreal
Address	800 Victoria Square, Suite 3500^[a] P.O. Box 242, Montreal QC H4Z 1E9 Canada
Coordinates	45°30′01″N 73°33′43″W / 45.500175124999764°N 73.56196032440332°W / 45.500175124999764; -73.56196032440332
Opening	1916^[b]
Closed	1 July 1993

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.

History

Consulate

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]

Consulate general

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 [sv], 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 [sv] 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 [sv], 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.

Closure

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]

Tasks

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]

Area of responsibility

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]

Buildings

Chancery

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]

•  
  Canadian Express Building, 95 McGill Street
  (?–1915)
•  
  Drummond Building, 511 Saint Catherine Street West (1916–1929)
•  
  Bishop Court Apartments, 1511 Bishop Street (1950–1953)
•  
  2055 Bishop Street
  (1960–1962)
•  
  CIBC Tower, 1155 René Lévesque Boulevard
  (1962–1993)

Residence

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]

Heads of Mission

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		^[39]
Gustaf Löwenhard	1 January 1940 – 1941	Consul general		^[40]^[41]
Hugo Tamm	1941–1941	Acting consul general		^[42]
Per Wijkman	1 April 1941 – 1943	Consul general		^[43]^[26]
–	1944–1953	–	Embassy office in Montreal between 1949 and 1953.	^[8]^[9]
August von Hartmansdorff	1953–1956	Acting consul general		^[44]
Olof Ripa	1956–1959	Consul & acting consul general		^[45]
Olof Ripa	1959–1960	Consul general		^[46]
Ingvar Grauers	1960–1963	Acting consul general		^[47]
Ingvar Grauers	1963–1965	Consul general		^[32]
Stig Engfeldt	1966 – 13 August 1969	Consul general	Died in office.	^[48]^[49]^[50]
Gösta Brunnström	1969–1972	Consul general		^[51]
Sten Aminoff	1972–1973	Acting consul general		^[52]
Sten Aminoff	1973–1974	Consul general		^[53]
Olof Bjurström	1975–1980	Consul general		^[54]
Claës Erik Winberg	1980–1985	Consul general	Also accredited to Nassau, Bahamas from 1981.	^[15]^[55]
Bengt Rösiö	1985–1990	Consul general		^[16]
Karin Ahrland	1990–1993	Consul general		^[18]
Honorary consulate (1993–present)
Marie Giguere	1993–1997	Honorary consul		^[56]
Lionel P. Hurtubise	1997–2002	Honorary consul		^[57]
Daniel Johnson Jr.	2002–2020	Honorary consul		^[58]
Jocelyn Auger	2020–present	Honorary consul		^[59]

See also

• Embassy of Sweden, Ottawa

Footnotes

1. The address of today's honorary consulate which opened in 1993 after the consulate general closed.
2. The consulate general has its origins in the consulate which was opened on 26 October 1906 which became a consulate general in 1916.

References

1. Almquist, Johan Axel (1914). Kommerskollegium och Riksens Ständers Manufakturkontor samt konsulsstaten 1651-1910: administrativa och biografiska anteckningar (PDF). Meddelanden från svenska Riksarkivet, Ny följd. Ser. 2, 99-0506720-5 ; 4 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Norstedt. pp. 370–371. SELIBR 844316.
2. "Svenskt generalkonsulat i Kanada - Dr David Bergström postens förste innehafvare" [Swedish Consulate General in Canada - Dr. David Bergström, the post's first holder]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). No. 338. 1915-12-12. p. 5. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
3. "Utrikesministern motiverar inrättandet av generalkonsulatet i Montreal" [The Minister of Foreign Affairs justifies the establishment of the Consulate General in Montreal]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). No. 39. 1916-02-10. p. 8. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
4. "No. 29516". The London Gazette. 21 March 1916. p. 3064.
5. "Utrikesrepresentation bör stärkas i Amerika" [Foreign representation should be strengthened in America]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1943-04-21. p. A7. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
6. Günther, Christian (14 May 1943). "Kungl. Maj.ts proposition nr 280" [King in Council's proposition no. 280] (in Swedish). Stockholm. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
7. "Beskickning i Ottawa" [Legation in Ottawa]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1943-08-06. p. A9. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
8. Sveriges statskalender för året 1949 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1949. p. 275.
9. Sveriges statskalender för året 1953 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1953. p. 301.
10. Holmström, Mikael (1992-12-08). "Ambassader läggs ner" [Embassies are being closed down]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). p. 10. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
11. Tarschys, Daniel (15 April 1993). "Utrikesutskottets betänkande 1992/93:UU14: Vissa anslag m.m. inom Utrikesdepartementets område (prop. 1992/93:100 bil. 4)" (in Swedish). Stockholm: Committee on Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
12. "Konsulatet Montreal (1856 – )" [Consulate Montreal (1856 – )] (in Swedish). National Archives of Sweden. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
13. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1983). Sveriges statskalender 1983 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Liber/Allmänna. p. 344. ISBN 9138071576. SELIBR 3682764.
14. Spiegelberg, Christina, ed. (1984). Sveriges statskalender 1984 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Liber. pp. 345–346. ISBN 91-38-90400-4. SELIBR 3682782.
15. Spiegelberg, Christina, ed. (1985). Sveriges statskalender 1985 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Liber Allmänna. p. 343. ISBN 91-38-90564-7. SELIBR 3682783.
16. Spiegelberg, Christina, ed. (1990). Sveriges statskalender 1990 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Allmänna. p. 353. ISBN 913812291X. SELIBR 3682769.
17. Spiegelberg, Christina, ed. (1991). Sveriges statskalender 1991 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Allmänna. p. 345. ISBN 9138125277. SELIBR 3682770.
18. Almqvist, Gerd, ed. (1993). Sveriges statskalender 1993 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Allmänna. p. 341. ISBN 9138128098. SELIBR 3682772.
19. Sveriges statskalender för år 1914 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1914. p. 183.
20. Sveriges statskalender för år 1915 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1915. p. 185.
21. Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1916 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: P.A. Nordstedt & Söner. 1916. p. 191.
22. Sveriges statskalender för året 1929 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell. 1929. p. 197.
23. Sveriges statskalender för året 1930 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell. 1930. p. 197.
24. Sveriges statskalender för året 1937 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1937. p. 217.
25. Sveriges statskalender för året 1938 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1938. p. 224.
26. Sveriges statskalender för året 1943 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1943. p. 253.
27. Sveriges statskalender för året 1950 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1950. p. 280.
28. Sveriges statskalender för året 1954 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1954. p. 313.
29. Sveriges statskalender för året 1959 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1959. p. 310.
30. Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1960 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1960. p. 315.
31. Sveriges statskalender 1962 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1962. p. 311.
32. Sveriges statskalender 1965 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1965. p. 329.
33. Sveriges statskalender 1966 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1966. p. 304.
34. Sveriges statskalender 1967 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1967. p. 319.
35. Jacobson, G. (1922). "David Kristian Bergström". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon (in Swedish). Vol. 3. National Archives of Sweden. p. 728. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
36. Sveriges statskalender för året 1921 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell. 1921. p. 191.
37. Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1936 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1936. p. 210.
38. "Förflyttningar inom U.D." [Transfers within the Foreign Ministry]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1936-05-01. p. A7. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
39. Sveriges statskalender för året 1939 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1939. p. 228.
40. "Nytt sändebud i Ankara" [New envoy in Ankara]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1939-09-07. p. 18. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
41. Sveriges statskalender för året 1941 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1941. p. 240.
42. Harnesk, Paul, ed. (1962). Vem är vem? [Who's Who?] (in Swedish). Vol. 1, Stor–Stockholm (2nd ed.). Stockholm: Vem är vem bokförlag. p. 1276. SELIBR 53509.
43. "Ny generalkonsul" [New Consul General]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1941-03-22. p. 20. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
44. Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1956 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1956. p. 328.
45. "Utnämningar inom diplomatiska kåren" [Appointments within the diplomatic corps]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1956-04-28. p. 4A. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
46. "OFFICIELLT" [OFFICIALLY]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1959-05-02. p. A5. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
47. Sveriges statskalender 1963 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1963. p. 315.
48. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1969). Sveriges statskalender 1969 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. p. 371. SELIBR 3682754.
49. "Dödsfall" [Deaths]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1969-08-14. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
50. "DÖDE" [Deaths]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 1969-08-15. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
51. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1972). Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1972 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. p. 366. SELIBR 3682755.
52. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1973). Sveriges statskalender 1973 (in Swedish). Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell. p. 366. SELIBR 3682755.
53. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1974). Sveriges statskalender 1974 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: Allmänna. p. 390. ISBN 91-38-01839-X.
54. Sköldenberg, Bengt, ed. (1980). Sveriges statskalender 1980 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Liber. p. 335. ISBN 91-38-05350-0. SELIBR 33682761.
55. Salander Mortensen, Jill, ed. (1996). Vem är det: svensk biografisk handbok. 1997 [Who is it: Swedish biographical handbook. 1997] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Norstedt. p. 1212. ISBN 91-1-960852-7. SELIBR 3681533.
56. Almqvist, Gerd, ed. (1997). Sveriges statskalender 1997 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Fritzes. p. 176. ISBN 9138309734. SELIBR 3682776.
57. Spiegelberg, Christina, ed. (2002). Sveriges statskalender 2002 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Fritzes. p. 176. ISBN 9138319519. SELIBR 8428312.
58. Sveriges statskalender 2010 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Norstedts Juridik AB/Fritzes. 2010. p. 185. ISBN 978-91-38-32520-9. SELIBR 11846164.
59. BCF Avocats [@BCF_Avocats_Law] (February 25, 2020). "Congratulations to our partner Jocelyn Auger for his appointment as Honorary Consul of #Sweden in Montreal, succeeding Daniel Johnson Jr" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via Twitter.

External links

• Info on the Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Montreal