Hello Tobs, I am a lawyer and my wife is an architect. We researched thoroughly about the steps to become licensed in Canada. Some provincial websites even have a whole directory of regulatory bodies in order for the newcomer find out what he has to do do become licensed in Canada. For instance:
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/working/OI_HOW_WORK_PROF_PROFS.html.
From what we discovered, it is possible to become licensed in our native professions in Canada, provided that we dedicate a couple of years and thousands of dollars. In my case, even if I put together all the paperwork, it will be pointless since the legal market is in crisis in Canada, even for canadian-graduated attorneys. So, I decided to go "back to school" in order to switch lanes in my career path. As for my wife, she researched and found out that it is much more worth it to deepen her knowledge in 3D models and designing, by which she will have more job opportunities, flexibility and none of the expensive and time-consuming bureaucracy of becoming licensed.
Anyway, each case is different. Hope it can give you some perspective.