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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe law has attracted a level of popular commentary, often focused on the stereotype of Canadian usage of the word "sorry",[7][8] even though most American states have similar laws.[9]
Several other Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia,[10] Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have similar laws in place.[11]
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.[12]
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.
- ^ Ross, Nina; Newman, William (19 May 2021). "The Role of Apology Laws in Medical Malpractice" (PDF). Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. PMID 34011538.
- ^ "Apology Act". www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ MacDonald, Noni; Attaran, Amir (6 January 2009). "Medical errors, apologies and apology laws". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 180 (1): 11. doi:10.1503/cmaj.081997. ISSN 0820-3946. PMC 2612052. PMID 19124780.
- ^ "Ont. Liberal backbencher introduces Apology Act". CTV News. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.