The Apology Act (Bill 108, 2009; French: Loi concernant la présentation d’excuses) is a law in the province of Ontario that provides apologies made by a person does not necessarily constitute an admission of guilt.[1][2]
| Apology Act | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Legislative Assembly of Ontario | |
| |
| Territorial extent | Ontario |
| Enacted by | Legislative Assembly of Ontario |
| Royal assent | 23 April 2009 |
| Legislative history | |
| First reading | 7 October 2008 |
| Second reading | 23 October 2008 |
| Third reading | 11 March 2009 |
Summary edit
The law contains several exceptions, including apologies made while testifying at a civil proceeding and to allow some apologies to be used as admission of guilt under the Provincial Offences Act.[3]
Legislative history edit
The bill was originally introduced in April 2008 as a private member's bill by David Orazietti, Liberal backbench MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. The bill was re-introduced in October that year by Attorney General Chris Bentley, stating that "we see fewer and fewer acknowledgments, demonstrations of regret, demonstrations of remorse, until the lawsuit."[4]
The passage of the bill was supported by the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, despite some original opposition from critic Christine Elliott, but opposed by the Ontario NDP.[5][6]
Public perception edit
The law has attracted a level of popular commentary, often focused on the stereotype of Canadian usage of the word "sorry."[7][8] However, several other Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as several American states have similar laws in place.[9]
The law received support from the Ontario Hospital Association, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and the Ontario Medical Association, as well as the Ontario Bar Association.[10]
References edit
- ^ "The Apology Act, 2009: Sorry is no longer the hardest word to say – Slaw". 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "I'M SO SORRY! – The Apology Act takes the sting out of apologizing". 7 February 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Ontario's New Apology Act". Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Rob, Ferguson (8 October 2008). "Simple 'I'm sorry' at heart of new bill". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Ontario passes bill making it easier to apologize". Toronto Star. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Coyle, Jim (24 October 2008). "We're sorry, but they're lawyers". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Keith, Elizabeth (6 September 2018). "This Ontario Law About Excessive Apologizing Actually Exists And It Is So Tragically Canadian". Narcity. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "The crazy but true apology act, and other fun facts about Canada". Real Word. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Ont. Liberal backbencher introduces Apology Act". CTV News. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.