Michael Gustav Werleman was born on July 11, 1939, in Montreal, Quebec.

He graduated from McGill University (B.Arch.1962) and joined the architectural practice originated in Montreal in 1964, consisting solely of partners that graduated from the McGill University School of Architecture; Werleman & Guy Architectes (1984) and Werleman Guy McMahon Architectes (1985). They provided continuing professional services to such clients as the City of Montreal, the City of Pointe-Claire, Bell Canada, IBM Canada, Mercedes-Benz of Canada, Coca-Cola Limited, and the Bank of Montreal.