Apology Act bill passes first reading
Proposed legislation intended to make it easier for healthcare workers to apologize
Wednesday April 30, 2008 -- Natalie Miller
A proposed bill intended to make it easier for healthcare workers to apologize to patients when they make a mistake has passed first reading in the Ontario legislature.

The second reading of Bill 59, the Apology Act, is scheduled for May 15. Debate and a vote will follow.

If the bill passes, it will likely be referred to committee for further analysis.

Orazietti, a Sault Ste. Marie liberal politician, introduced the proposed Apology Act on April 15. Orazietti held a press conference at Queen's Park in Toronto prior to presenting the proposed bill in the legislature. During the press conference he noted three other provinces in Canada currently have similar legislation in place.

The bill, if passed, would make healthcare workers' expressions of regret inadmissible in civil court. Currently, apologies don't happen frequently enough in Ontario, in part, because healthcare workers are afraid of being sued, proponents of the bill say.

HIROC is behind the proposed act.

“HIROC supports Mr. Orazietti's initiative in bringing forth legislation that could positively assist healthcare organizations in resolving disputes earlier and more effectively when errors have been made,” said CEO Peter Flattery.

“We encourage all parties in the legislature to give full consideration to the Apology Act.”

While the focus of the Apology Act has been on healthcare workers, Orazietti said it has a broader scope.

“This legislation is all encompassing," he said. "This is not the only sector that will benefit."

Orazietti said it is useful legislation for police officers, for instance.

To read more about the proposed Apology Act, visit these links:
Proposed 'Apology Act' legislation promotes 'human side' to healthcare worker occupation

MPP calls for 'Apology Act' in Ontario

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