Summarised by Centrist
In Canada, Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith has introduced legislation to prevent professional regulators from disciplining members for personal views expressed outside the workplace.
The bill, called the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act but referred to by the government as the “Peterson Law,” was prompted in part by the case of Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, who his regulatory college in Ontario ordered to complete a training programme over comments he made on social media.
Smith said the government reviewed more than 100 regulated professions and found cases where regulators disciplined members for lawful expression unrelated to their work.
The bill would prohibit sanctions for political or personal opinions expressed off-duty. Exceptions would apply to threats, criminal behaviour, misuse of professional authority, or sexual misconduct.
Justice Minister Mickey Amery cited cases including a nurse fined for criticising her grandfather’s care, a doctor cautioned after objecting to a church’s COVID-era communion policy, and Ontario’s previous requirement for a mandatory statement of principles.
Smith also referenced Peterson’s case, saying he “was sanctioned and ordered to undertake a so-called reeducation programme” for comments made outside clinical practice.
Smith said disciplinary pressure has affected professionals who supported her government. She cited examples of Alberta doctors who said they faced loss of hospital privileges, mentoring requirements, or income loss after expressing political opinions. One doctor wrote, “I believe CPSA is persecuting me for raising concerns with their ideology.”
Amery said the bill would also prevent regulators from imposing mandatory cultural or DEI-based training unless it directly relates to professional competence or ethics. Neutrality requirements would oblige regulators to treat members fairly regardless of personal beliefs, and new appeal pathways would shorten what Amery described as a “lengthy and costly” process for challenging regulatory decisions.
Image: Gage Skidmore
