2nd Meeting of the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Joint Committee

24 November 2020, Videoconference

Joint Report

The second meeting of the Joint Committee on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (hereafter, the Committee) established under Article 26.2.1(b) of CETA took place over videoconference on 24 November 2020. The Committee was represented by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union (EU), and Global Affairs Canada on behalf of Canada. Representatives of Provincial and Territorial Governments also attended as observers.

The EU presented to the Committee its position concerning its draft proposal for the a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between Canada and the EU for the profession of architect, developed based on the joint recommendation submitted by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) and the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE).

On that basis, the Canadian side presented its position concerning the additional elements required by Canada as conditions to launch negotiations, which was supported on substance by the European side. Having acknowledged these positions, the Committee declared the official launch of the negotiations.

Following the agenda, the Committee next formally established that the negotiating entities will be, on the part of the EU, the European Commission and, on the part of Canada, CALA and Global Affairs Canada. The Canadian side noted that representatives of Provincial and Territorial Governments would be invited to observe the negotiating rounds, following the practice of the Committee.

Finally, the Committee established the steps to negotiate, as per the procedures in CETA Article 11.3.  The Canadian side agreed to provide an attributed text to the EU by mid-December 2020. A target date of mid-January 2021 was proposed for the first round of negotiations.

List of participants:

Canada

• Global Affairs Canada
• Trade in Services Division (TMS)
• CETA Secretariat (TCT)

European Union

• European Commission
• DG Trade
• DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW)