Apologies

 There is a statute in Nova Scotia:

An Act Respecting the Effect

of an Apology and to Prohibit its Use

as Evidence of Fault or Liability

Section 3 says:

(1) An apology made by or on behalf of a person in connection with any matter

(a) does not constitute an express or implied admission of fault or liability by the person in connection with that matter;

That means there are no consequences for bad behavior that demands an apology, which is why we are subjected to so many headlines like these:

Forgive me	date
Halifax mayor apologizes to Africville residents	2/2010
N.S. premier apologizes for abuse at Home for Colored Children	10/2014
Mi’kmaq chiefs accept N.S. premier’s apology for ‘conquered people’ legal brief	11/2016
CEREMONY TO GRANT A FREE PARDON AND APOLOGY TO THE LATE GRAND CHIEF GABRIEL SYLLIBOY	2/2017
Premier Delivers Apology, Sets Course for Fundamental Change in Public Safety	9/2020
N.S. premier issues apology for systemic racism in province’s justice system	9/2020
N.S. Premier Apologizes For Suggesting Minimum Wage Workers Don’t Have ‘Real Jobs’	11/2021

This week, at a seminar hosted by Community Services, Premier Houston apologized to people with disabilities for 'systemic discrimination'.

Somewhat prematurely, the apology was lauded by a rights organization - Inclusion Nova Scotia - formerly the Association for Community Living.

"I think it was absolutely the right thing," said Stephanie Carver, president.

 Let's not get ahead of ourselves.  As I wrote recently Community Services committed in May to providing updates on the move to community living.  Still we get the one pager, and no indication of progress on the 38 steps that were to be completed by the end of October.

The correct sequence is Apology > Correction > Forgiveness.  The very first step  is showing that what the apology is about won't  happen again.

Discrimination goes beyond the problems of housing and institutionalization.  Education, Health, Jobs, Autonomy, Equality, Justice - all are different for people with disabilities and need reform.

When I can board the Bluenose with my wheelchair, I'll know the Premier gets it.