Apology Act, 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]

Apology Act
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • An Act respecting apologies (Bill 108, 2009)
Territorial extentOntario
Enacted byLegislative Assembly of Ontario
Royal assent23 April 2009
Legislative history
First reading7 October 2008
Second reading23 October 2008
Third reading11 March 2009

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]

References
  1. "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.
  2. "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.
  3. "Ontario's New Apology Act". Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  4. 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.
  5. "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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Ont. Liberal backbencher introduces Apology Act". CTV News. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
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