CARP extends warm congratulations to Dean Paul La Bute of Windsor, Ontario, who has been named a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
This provincial honour recognizes Ontarians whose exceptional civic leadership, volunteerism, and community service have made a lasting impact. Dean’s recognition is a fitting tribute to more than six decades of advocacy, public service, and leadership in support of accessibility, health equity, seniors, caregivers, and marginalized communities.
Dean Paul La Bute has devoted much of his life to strengthening community services and advancing inclusion. After losing his sight in early adulthood, Dean transformed personal challenge into a lifelong commitment to advocacy and public service.
His volunteer leadership includes more than 25 years of board-level service with the Victorian Order of Nurses, beginning with the VON Windsor-Essex Branch Board of Directors in 1995. He later served as Branch Board President, President of the VON Windsor-Essex Endowment Foundation Board, and as a member of the VON Canada National Board of Directors. In 2018, he received the VON Canada Lifetime Associate Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions.
Dean has also served in leadership and advisory roles with the Erie St. Clair CCAC, the Erie St. Clair LHIN, and Home and Community Care Support Services, including as Founding Chair of the Erie St. Clair LHIN Patient and Family Advisory Council.
A long-time CARP member and community advocate, Dean served on the Executive Board of the CARP Windsor-Essex Chapter and chaired its Long Term Care Transformation Committee. He continues to contribute through CARP’s President’s Council meetings.
CARP is proud to recognize Dean’s extraordinary record of service and congratulates him on this well-deserved provincial honour.
“A hearty congratulations from all of us at the CARP office! It is well deserved. We send our thanks for all of your advocacy work on behalf of CARP members – and we are glad to be amongst the recipients of your community commitments, reflected in this recognition.” – Anthony Quinn, CARP President.
