Canada: Apology-Addicted

Canada’s Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr is in damage-control mode. He apparently told a group of thalidomide survivors who were seeking to get the full amount of financial compensation that had been promised that there were many others in Canada with a “sob story”. While survivors were promised a lump-sum payment of $250,000 along with increased annual pensions, thus far some have received only $125,000. Hehr, a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic since 1991 when he was a bystander injured in a drive-by shooting, has apologized for his insensitive remarks. Although seeking the additional compensation was the initial objective of the group for the meeting with the minister, it is now morphed into an issue about an assault on their dignity.

Hardly a week goes by without someone being offended about something. With the recent string of government apologies and related cash hand-outs, it has created an atmosphere for people to air all those perceived, and perhaps a few really genuine, injustices. Our collective skin is becoming so thin that we cannot weather the slightest of criticism, no mater how constructive it may be. Emboldened by the prospects of getting some attention and/or money, some people will resort to any tactic.

A case in point. Liberal MP Sherry Romando has already received five apologies from Conservative MP James Bezan for his comment which can be best described as a mundane attempt at humour. During a photo session, with a third unknown person, when they were attending a fund raiser for veterans and first-responders, Bezan allegedly made the comment “This isn’t my idea of a threesome”.  Even though Bezan may have been trying to keep things entertaining, Romando apparently failed to see the humour. Okay. Now, after receiving five apologies perhaps it is time for her boss, Justin Trudeau, to encourage her to focus her energies on those that voted for her.

Perhaps it is time we make a better effort at shedding our addiction to seeking and/or giving an apology for anything that even remotely offends. While sometimes apologies and/or compensation is needed to help rectify an issue, relief can also come when we let go and move on.