Whose Heritage? A Critical Exploration of Heritage Conservation Practices in the City of Toronto

This paper hopes to understand the underlying assumptions guiding heritage conservation in Toronto, and how or if these practices translate into a conservation system that favours the protection of certain heritages at the expense of others. Conservation practices in Toronto have evolved to fit within a value-based approach that recognizes expanded versions of heritage, moving away from ideas of only valuing physical and aesthetic aspects to understanding the cultural and social aspects of heritage. This study suggests that this evolution has been fuelled by heritage practitioners that move beyond the expectations of the Ontario Heritage Act to engage with communities and apply innovative strategies to conserve more diverse heritages. However, there remain barriers to meaningful community engagement in conservation processes, which results in a limited understanding of heritage and what is being valued. This study uses a mixed-method approach, including Geographic Information System mapping, a policy review, and interviews with heritage practitioners in Toronto. The findings of this study can be a starting point for further research into inclusive heritage conservation practices in Toronto, with a focus on advocating for a heritage conservation system that acknowledges and represents plural heritages.