In Canada, you need either an accredited Masters degree (M.arch) or complete the RAIC syllabus.  Those are the only 2 options available to you if you intend on writing your licensing exams (ExACs).  Both paths are different tho but I'll try and summarize them below:

Accredited M.Arch:  Is a 2 or 3 year professional degree offered only in 11 universities across Canada.  Entrance qualifications (and quality) varies greatly from school to school, but they all require a bachelor degree. Most applicants will do the 3y path unless they have a relevant architectural bachelor degree and stellar portfolio.  Following the completion of this degree, you will need to register as an intern architect in whatever province you want to work in so that you can start accumulating the required hours in order to write the 4 exams.  This can take anywhere from 3 to 5y post graduation depending on your work experience.  One benefit here over the RAIC is that you can use the M.arch thesis research to focus, with the help/backing of a real university, on something you want to eventually do as a career such as sustainable residential design & construction.

RAIC Syllabus: Is an alternative path that replaces the M.arch and intern period.  It is mostly self-guided with occasional meetings/presentations with syllabus proctors over the span of 6 to 7 years.  The pros are that tuition is low compared to the M.arch and that you are required to work full time in an office while completing it.  This means you will be able to gain exp hours while in the program so that you are eligible to write your licensing exams once you've completed the last module.  The con is that it is not a professional degree (or any type of degree) so it has little value outside of architecture.  Quality also varies since it's mostly reliant on the local chapter for its tutors.

So, 2 paths with similar results in the end: an architect's license.

Note that nothing is stopping you from working in an office at any time during your studies but you cannot market yourself as an architect or offer such services (legally) without the license. With a license (and a certificate of practice + insurance) so can then set up your own design office. 

Hope this helps.

Also important, you will need a design portfolio in order to even have a chance at an M.arch.  Arch-Tech and Civil degrees are notorious for producing bland and generic bodies of work which are the opposite of what universities look for.