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Law in Ontario, Canada From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
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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 |
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]
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]
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]
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