Apology Act, 2009 Explained

Short Title:Apology Act
Long Title:An Act respecting apologies (Bill 108, 2009)
Territorial Extent:Ontario
Enacted By:Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Royal Assent:23 April 2009
1St Reading:7 October 2008
2Nd Reading:23 October 2008
3Rd Reading:11 March 2009

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]

Summary

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

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

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Apology Act, 2009: Sorry is no longer the hardest word to say – Slaw. 9 December 2009 . 7 May 2021. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103823/http://www.slaw.ca/2009/12/09/the-apology-act-2009-sorry-is-no-longer-the-hardest-word-to-say/. live.
  2. Web site: I'M SO SORRY! – The Apology Act takes the sting out of apologizing. 7 February 2009. 7 May 2021. 12 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030209/https://perlaw.ca/2009/02/07/im-so-sorry-the-apology-act-takes-the-sting-out/. live.
  3. Web site: Ontario's New Apology Act. 7 May 2021. 15 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115172754/https://nelliganlaw.ca/article/insurance-defence/ontarios-new-apology-act/. live.
  4. Web site: Rob. Ferguson. Simple 'I'm sorry' at heart of new bill. 2008-10-08. Toronto Star. 7 May 2021. 6 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210506180507/https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2008/10/08/simple_im_sorry_at_heart_of_new_bill.html. live.
  5. Web site: Ontario passes bill making it easier to apologize. 2009-03-11. Toronto Star. 7 May 2021. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507134230/https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2009/03/11/ontario_passes_bill_making_it_easier_to_apologize.html. live.
  6. Web site: Coyle. Jim. We're sorry, but they're lawyers. 2008-10-24. Toronto Star. 7 May 2021. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507134230/https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2008/10/24/were_sorry_but_theyre_lawyers.html. live.
  7. Web site: Keith. Elizabeth. This Ontario Law About Excessive Apologizing Actually Exists And It Is So Tragically Canadian. 2018-09-06. Narcity. 7 May 2021. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507134230/https://www.narcity.com/theres-an-actual-law-about-saying-sorry-in-this-canadian-province. live.
  8. Web site: The crazy but true apology act, and other fun facts about Canada. 1 July 2020. Real Word. 7 May 2021. 7 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210207002253/https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/fun-facts-about-canada/. live.
  9. Web site: Archived copy . 7 May 2021 . 17 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190717145054/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/lone-wolf-attackers-sony-hack-and-apology-legislation-1.2907053/apology-legislation-helps-doctors-say-i-m-sorry-to-patients-1.2907054 . live .
  10. Web site: Ont. Liberal backbencher introduces Apology Act. 2008-04-15. CTV News. 7 May 2021. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507031251/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ont-liberal-backbencher-introduces-apology-act-1.289428. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Apology Act, 2009".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.