Richard was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Ottawa in 1955, followed by his law studies at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he received the gold medal and the Chancellor Van Koughnet Scholarship in 1959.
Richard was born in Ottawa, Ontario, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Ottawa in 1955, and then pursued his law studies at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he received the gold medal and Chancellor Van Koughnet Scholarship in 1959.