Dr. Jordan Peterson has revealed all complaints against him to the College of Psychologists of Ontario, which is now ordering the psychologist to undergo social media re-education training.
Last week, Peterson revealed that the College mandated him to attend a “coaching session” for social media or risk losing his clinical license.
One complaint was for Peterson’s comments on The Joe Rogan podcast on Covid-19 vaccines.
“He is operating outside the domain of expertise, using title as psychologist as a means of conveying information which is harmful to public,” reads the complaint.
The same individual complained about Peterson’s social media usage “directed at the prime minister using language that is unprofessional and embarrassing to the profession,” while also saying an exchange Peterson had with former Trudeau advisor Gerald Butts was “threatening, abusive and harassing.”
Another complaint states, “Peterson encouraged people to commit suicide on Twitter.” The complaint pertains to a response Peterson sent to someone claiming the world is overpopulated.
“You’re free to leave anytime,” Peterson replied.
Peterson also released his response to the College.
“Go ahead and investigate. Take whatever steps you deem necessary.”
“I am simply not going to spend the hours and days required to undergo the unbelievably stressful process necessary to respond to this formally because one of the millions of people who follow me on social media took offense to one thing I said at one point,” he said.
Another complaint took issue with Peterson for appearing “to call Catherine McKenney, an Ottawa City Councillor who uses they/them pronouns a ‘thing.'”
More complaints are over alleged “hate speech” against transgender people. One such tweet saw Peterson’s Twitter account suspended indefinitely. It wasn’t restored until Elon Musk purchased Twitter.
In the tweet in question, Peterson addressed transgender actor Elliot Page, formerly known as Ellen Page. Peterson said Page “had her breasts removed by a criminal physician.”
Several complaints were over a tweet Peterson made where he criticized Sports Illustrated for giving a plus-sized woman the front cover.
“Sorry, not beautiful,” Peterson tweeted. “And no amount of authoritarian tolerance is going to change that.”
In light of these complaints, the College mandated Peterson “acknowledge and undertake” the coaching session until deemed complete by a “coach.”
Peterson says none of the complaints came from his past or present patients or their acquaintances. He also said he would not attend the re-education training.
