Marcus Letourneau

Credentials

PhD, MCIP, RPP, CAHP

Biography

Dr. Letourneau is President of M. R. Letourneau and Associates Inc., a specialized heritage and strategic planning firm focused on creative solutions for the management of cultural heritage resources.  He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Planning and Contributing Associate for the Heritage Resources Centre at the University of Waterloo and an Instructor for the Cultural Resource Management program at the University of Victoria. He co-teaches the facilities management course for the Ontario Museum Association. As of September 2023, he serves as a Subject Matter Expert/Course Author for Algonquin College’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Building Conservation (launching 2024).  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of ICOMOS Canada, as Chair of the Leeds and Thousand Islands MHC, and on both the Board of Directors for the Friends of Springfield House Complex and Leeds and Thousand Islands Historical Society. 

Marcus founded and was the Managing Principal for LHC Heritage Planning & Archaeology Inc., an Ontario-based heritage consultancy (2015-2023). He also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s University (2013-2023), as well as the Manager for the Sustainability and Heritage Management Discipline Team (Ottawa/Kingston) and a Senior Cultural Heritage Specialist for Golder Associates Limited (2011-2015). Other positions included: co-teaching heritage planning at the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts; a contract professor at Carleton University in both the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and School of Canadian Studies (Heritage Conservation); senior heritage planner for the City of Kingston (2004-2011) where he worked in both the Planning & Development and Cultural Services Departments; and, in various capacities at Queen’s University at Kingston (2001-2007).  He has served on several Executive and Board of Directors. 

Marcus has a PhD in Cultural/Historical Geography (Queen’s University); an MA in Cultural Geopolitics (University of Western Ontario); a BA (Hons) in Geography with a History Minor (Queen’s University); a Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies (University of Waterloo); a Professional Certificate in Heritage Conservation Planning (University of Victoria); a Certificate in Museum Studies (Ontario Museum Association); and training in Marine/Foreshore Archaeology. He also completed ICCROM/WHITRAP training in China on impact assessments for heritage. In 2022, he completed ICCROM/Athabasca University training on communication and teaching skills for conservation. He is currently completing a Master of Planning degree from the University of Guelph where his research is focusing on Canada’s Commission of Conservation (1909-1921). He is a registered professional planner (MCIP, RPP), Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) and holds a CIPM I certification from the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP).

Marcus brings over 20 years of experience to his practice, which is particularly focused on heritage legislation, strategic planning, heritage planning and processes. He has been involved in over 300 projects either as the project director, project manager or as the senior heritage planner. He has been qualified as an expert heritage witness for the Ontario Land Tribunal (former OMB/LPAT/CRB) (heritage planning with a specialization in cultural heritage landscapes; land use planning with a specialization in heritage conservation; cultural heritage specialist, and heritage conservation), and as an expert witness for both a Superior Court Hearing and a judicial inquiry for the Public Lands Act. He co-authored the second edition of Heritage Planning (Routledge) with Dr. Hal Kalman (2020).