MPP Bob Delaney Apologizes For Calling Police
Published May 26, 2016 at 3:27 pm
In the latest of a series of events surrounding Melanie Palaypayon, the mother of an autistic child, her local MPP Bob Delaney has apologized for calling the cops on her after she threatened to protest outside his office.
But is it a genuine apology, or maybe a half-hearted attempt to save face without fully shouldering the blame?
Either way, Palaypayon was willing to accept it, according to the Mississauga News.
Although Premier Kathleen Wynne said on Tuesday that she had asked Delaney to apologize, Delaney had already decided to contact the family at that point.
“I said I was profoundly sorry for the circumstances that resulted in the police visiting her home and for the anxiety this has caused her and her family, and offered her an unreserved apology, which she accepted,” he told The News.
He insists that he had not instructed the police to take any action at all, and had only called them for advice on how to handle Palaypayon’s frequent phone calls.
Videos
“As an MPP, I understand how important it is to listen to the concerns of my constituents. Mrs. Palaypayon and I hope to discuss her concerns in greater detail with the staff at ErinoakKids.”
ErinoakKids is a treatment centre that provides rehabilitation for kids with disabilities.
“Being a parent of an autistic child is stressful enough. Regardless of the set of circumstances that caused the encounter, I am profoundly sorry that the confrontation occurred.”
Palaypayon said Delaney’s secretary initially called for her to book an appointment so she could come in and receive the apology, but found it absurd that Delaney couldn’t just call himself.
She eventually reached Delaney by phone when she called his office later.
Although Palaypayon could forgive Delaney for his actions, she rejected his insistence that he has done all he can do for her autistic, six-year-old son Xavier.
She told him “You haven’t done anything for us” and pointed out that he voted against a recent opposition party motion to undo the program changes, which currently prevent autistic children over five years old from receiving IBI therapy paid for by the province.
Palaypayon has recently started a part-time nursing job, and said she would try to do more jobs to help pay for Xavier’s therapy.
“If (there’s) only even one per cent or 0.5 per cent that my son has a chance to help him to reach his full potential I will do everything,” she said.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising