Despite apparent outrage from 36 groups that called for Ottawa to cancel Peterson’s speaking event, not one protester could be seen on Monday night.
Hundreds of attendees were lined up outside the Ottawa Senators home arena, the Canadian Tire Centre. Inside, attendees got to see Peterson speak as part of his Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life tour.
Some expected far-left agitators to protest outside the event. In fact, two weeks ago, Global News reporter Rachel Gilmore tweeted “After @LiveNationON announced Peterson’s upcoming speaking gig at the @CdnTireCtr, the venue had to shut down replies on Twitter because Ottawa residents were so upset about it.”
Subsequently, 36 groups issued a joint-letter to Ottawa City Council, demanding they cancel Peterson’s event.
Cooler heads prevailed and no one caved to the mob’s demands. However, despite the mob’s apparent outrage and demands, not one protester was in sight on Monday night.
The letter that called for the event to be cancelled came from at least 10 groups that are Trudeau-funded non-profits.
“We are a coalition of organizations, small businesses and labour unions that represent thousands of residents across the City of Ottawa and surrounding areas,” the letter read.
“…Many of whom are from equity-deserving communities and almost all of whom experienced the traumatic events of the occupation of our city by the far-right.”
Prior to the groups issuing a joint-letter, corporate media got the cancel-Peterson train chugging. Along with Gilmore, The Hockey News and Yahoo Sports writer Ian Kennedy said Peterson’s “anti-trans” rhetoric flew in the face of the NHL’s Equity and Diversity agenda.
“Peterson’s direct opposition to the NHL’s inclusion efforts related to gender and sexuality, according to experts, is a contradiction to hockey’s ongoing efforts to combat homophobia and transphobia in sport and society,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy quoted a “leading hockey scholar” to hammer home his point.
The other cancel-worthy incident, said Kennedy, can be found in Peterson’s well-known opposition to Bill C-16.
Bill C-16 made trans identities a protected group. However, Peterson takes issue with the bill because it criminalizes wrong speech, namely through “misgendering” people, including trans people.