Court enforces order against outspoken Jordan Peterson.
A Canadian Court Orders Jordan Peterson to Undergo Social Media Sensitivity Training
In a recent ruling, a Canadian court has mandated that clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson must participate in “social media sensitivity training” due to his frequent controversial statements, which were deemed “unprofessional.” The decision was handed down by a panel of three Ontario Divisional Court judges who unanimously ruled in favor of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, of which Peterson is a member.
The court documents explain that the training program will require Peterson to reflect on and improve his professionalism in public statements. Failure to complete the program could result in the loss of his license to practice. Peterson, a former University of Toronto professor of psychology, gained widespread attention for his 2016 lecture condemning the use of alternative pronouns and criticizing Canada’s laws on gender identity or expression.
Justice Paul Schabas, writing for the court, clarified that the order does not restrict Peterson’s freedom of expression on controversial topics and has minimal impact on his right to express himself. The court evaluated several of Peterson’s controversial comments to determine if they complied with the College’s Standards of Professional Conduct.
One example cited by the court was a tweet from January 2, 2022, in which Peterson responded to concerns about overpopulation by stating, “You’re free to leave at any point.” Another instance occurred during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” where Peterson referred to a former client as “vindictive” and dismissed their complaint as a “pack of lies.” He also made a controversial statement about air pollution and child deaths, suggesting that the world has too many people.
Additionally, Peterson faced backlash for a tweet in June 2022 regarding actress Elliot Page’s gender transition and breast removal surgery. He was suspended from Twitter for misgendering and “deadnaming” the actor. Peterson argued that his comments were made in an “off-duty” capacity as a clinical psychologist, but the court rejected this argument.
The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF), representing Peterson, expressed disappointment in the ruling and raised concerns about the potential chilling effect it could have on other regulated professions. CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn emphasized that professionals should not have to censor their speech due to fear of penalties for unpopular opinions.
Overall, this court ruling has sparked a debate about the balance between freedom of expression and professional conduct within regulated professions.
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