January 19, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, welcomes the launch of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Professional Qualifications of Architects (MRAA) under the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

The MRAA makes it easier to recognize Canadian and European architects’ professional qualifications in both regions. This important step supports the Canadian architecture sector, which is regulated at the provincial and territorial levels, as well as related activities, including engineering and construction. This agreement will enable new opportunities for collaboration on both sides of the Atlantic.

As the first mutual recognition agreement for professional services under a Canadian free trade agreement, the MRAA delivers concrete progress on Canada’s trade diversification agenda. It strengthens Canada’s economic partnership with the EU while helping Canadian firms compete, scale, and succeed in global markets.