Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2005-06-29
Invested on: 2005-11-18
Marcel Junius' commitment to preserving and promoting heritage is a source of pride and inspiration. This architect and emeritus urban planner held a variety of posts in which he displayed exceptional talents as an organizer, innovator and leader. As president of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec, he expanded the concept of heritage and developed the tools needed to manage it. He founded the Organization of World Heritage Cities and became its first secretary-general. In addition to working with international organizations and universities, he is one of the initiators and the vice-president of the Inter- national Historical Heritage Foundation Canada. He is also the president of the Institut Québec-Europe: un patrimoine commun. This civic-minded individual, whose motto is "people before stones", has also shared his knowledge as a teacher at a number of universities.