Answer to Question #260222 in English for Hammad

Question

What is the Apology Act? How many provinces have passed an apology act, and how does the act concern you?

Answer 1

What is the Apology Act?

1  

In this Act:

"apology" means an expression of sympathy or regret, a statement that one is sorry or any other words or actions indicating contrition or commiseration, whether or not the words or actions admit or imply an admission of fault in connection with the matter to which the words or actions relate;

"court" includes a tribunal, an arbitrator, and any other person who is acting in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity.

at the present time, only three provinces have Apology Acts. British Columbia was the first province to pass an Apology Act which came into force on May 18, 2006. Manitoba’s Apology Act came into force in February 2008. Ontario’s Apology Act has been in force since April 23, 2009.

The debilitating effects of the remorse and shame we may feel when we've hurt another person can eat away at us until we become emotionally and physically ill. By apologizing and taking responsibility for our actions, we help rid ourselves of esteem-robbing self-reproach and guilt.

An apology has the power to humble even the most arrogant. When we develop the courage to admit we are wrong and work past our resistance to apologizing, we develop a deep sense of self-respect.

Apologizing helps us remain emotionally connected to our friends and loved ones. Knowing we have wronged someone may cause us to distance ourselves from the person, but once we have apologized we feel freer to be vulnerable and intimate.

There is another little-talked-about benefit: Since apologizing usually causes us to feel humiliated, it can also act as a deterrent, reminding us to not repeat the act.