In a reflection on his years-long battle with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Dr. Jordan Peterson has written in The National Post about the implications of his mandated “re-education” for expressing views deemed controversial on social media.
Logo for the College of Psychologists & Behaviour Analysts of Ontario pictured (right)
Peterson’s article begins with his resistance to regulatory overreach, particularly when his statements were unrelated to his professional practice as a psychologist.
Dr. Peterson argues that this requirement is arbitrary and potentially threatens the freedom of speech for all regulated professionals in Canada.
“Canadians should ask themselves: do you want to live in a country where your Charter rights can be abrogated at the whim of some unelected and fundamentally unaccountable committee, operating in the background, essentially anonymously, and possessed by some current ideological whim or idiocy?” he states.
The Daily Wire employee proposes several changes to the complaint process for professional regulatory bodies, including limiting complaints to Canadian citizens or residents, restricting complaints to current or former clients, with some exception, developing clear policies on what complaints will not be entertained, and avoiding regulating speech on social media or political issues outside of direct client service.
He states, “We simply do not want to interfere with that right and responsibility. If we do so, we deprive the public forum of the thoughts of the most educated and able in any and all professional domains. How can that possibly serve the public good?”
Peterson also addresses personal consequences he has faced, including stress on his family, damage to his reputation, and financial costs. He calls for the College to admit their error and clear his public record.
5 new complaints
Last week, Dr. Peterson announced that another five complaints had been lodged over his social media commentary, all of which pertain to one post he made that mocked Kamala Harris’s intelligence.
Peterson previously challenged the mandate from Ontario’s regulatory body for psychologists that required him to attend social media training. In January 2023, Peterson revealed several complaints made against him to the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The complaints were all made anonymously.
As for the pending social media training he’s to receive, Peterson said he plans to record it.
Dr. Jordan Peterson is a courageous and principled figure who has stood up against the regulatory overreach of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. His article in The National Post highlights the dangers of unelected committees abrogating Charter rights and threatening free speech for all regulated professionals in Canada. Peterson’s recommendations for reforming the complaint process, such as limiting complaints to Canadian citizens or residents, restricting them to current or former clients, and avoiding the regulation of speech on social media or political issues outside direct client service, are thoughtful and necessary steps toward protecting the public forum and serving the public good. His personal sacrifices, including stress on his family, damage to his reputation, and financial costs, only underscore the importance of his fight for free speech and the truth. The College of Psychologists of Ontario should admit their error and clear Dr. Peterson’s public record, as he has been a shining example of integrity and bravery in the face of ideological oppression.