Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2023-05-11
Invested on: 2025-09-18
Richard Jean L’Abbé, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Richard L’Abbé has contributed to the vast improvement of body protection systems in the field of explosive ordnance disposal. Co-founder of Med-Eng Systems, he led the company to become a major provider of this specialized equipment in Canada and abroad, and helped increase safety for police, military and anti-personnel mine clearing teams. A dedicated board member and generous philanthropist, he has supported the University of Ottawa’s engineering department, notably through the Richard L’Abbé Makerspace centre.