Architects could move more fluidly between Canada and the European Union (EU) through a new agreement that will allow their professional qualifications to be accepted in either jurisdiction. The mutual recognition agreement under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the first such adjunct related to professional services in any of Canada’s free trade agreements.

The mutual recognition agreement applies to architects who have requisite education or training, are registered or licensed in Canada or any of the EU’s member states, and have a minimum of four years of professional experience since they initially qualified to practice. EU-based architects will be required to successfully complete a 10-hour, online course covering topics such as building regulations, construction documents and contract administration prior to registering to practice in Canada, and the EU has reserved the right to introduce a similar requirement for Canadian architects.

Canadian officials are touting the agreement as a progressive step in the federal government’s trade diversification agenda — maintaining that it will spur more cross-Atlantic collaboration and help tap into Europe’s $1.1-trillion construction market.

“These agreements will support our architects, attract investment and create new job opportunities, while helping grow Canada’s $6.8-billion architectural services industry,” asserts Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade. “Trade diversification is about securing more opportunities for Canadians to compete and succeed in the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic markets.”

Canadian affiliates of EU companies already employ 447,000 workers, while EU affiliates of Canadian companies generate nearly 275,000 jobs. Canada-EU trade surpassed $162 billion in value in 2024, a 63 per cent increase from the pre-CETA levels in 2016.