The Apology Act, 2009 (Bill 108; French: Loi concernant la présentation d’excuses) is a law in the province of Ontario that provides that an apology 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 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]
