Jordan Peterson shared on his Twitter account the conditions that the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) will make him fulfill to keep his license. The agency threatened the Peterson with these requirements due to the political messages he shares on Twitter, which includes expressing disagreement with the Canadian government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Here are the demands made of me with regard to my re-education. I have formally indicated my refusal to comply @CPOntario pic.twitter.com/Nl2poxgW2c
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 4, 2023
In the document, the CPO has asked Dr. Peterson to undergo a "coaching program" in order to "review, reflect on and ameliorate [his] professionalism in public statements.” Such a course would have to be completed within six months, and, "on the basis of the progress of the Coaching Program, the Coach may, at his discretion, request that the Registrar shorten or extend [it]."
Jordan B. Peterson is a reputable author with more than 100 published scientific articles. In addition, he taught psychology at Harvard University (1993-1998) and is professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he taught from 1998 until his recent retirement. During his career, he wrote three successful books: Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (1999); 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (2018); and Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (2020). His second book went number one in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Brazil and Norway.
"Mandatory political re-education"
Dr. Peterson asserted that he is under the threat of "mandatory political re-education,” i.e., indoctrination:
To reiterate: I face public disgrace, mandatory political re-education, disciplinary hearing and potential loss of my clinical licensing for agreeing with @PierrePoilievre and criticizing our standing PM @JustinTrudeau
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
On Twitter alone, Dr. Peterson has more than 3.5 million followers. After being suspended by prior Twitter management, Elon Musk reactivated his account in November, so his speech has a wide reach. Faced with the College of Psychologists' threat to withdraw his license if he does not change his political opinion, it has asked him to take a course on social media conduct and, thus, suppress his thoughts from millions of people:
BREAKING: the Ontario College of Psychologists @CPOntario has demanded that I submit myself to mandatory social-media communication retraining with their experts for, among other crimes, retweeting @PierrePoilievre and criticizing @JustinTrudeau and his political allies.
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
In addition, he confirmed that the board also threatened to take him to court if he refused to carry out the training:
I am to take a course of such training (with reports documenting my "progress" or face an in-person tribunal and suspension of my right to operate as a licensed clinical psychologist.
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
Professionals threatened for criticizing the government
According to Dr. Peterson, this evidently means that all professionals should omit their criticism of the government so as not to jeopardize their work or their reputation:
We are now in a situation in Canada under @JustinTrudeau where practicing professionals can have their livelihoods and public reputations threatened in a very serious manner for agreeing with the Official Opposition and criticizing major government figures.
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
Peterson added that he has already received a severe punishment and explained how he feels about his standing with the CPO:
If I comply the terms of my re-education and my punishment will be announced publicly. I have already had the second most serious category of punishment levied against me and have been deemed at high risk to "re-offend."
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
Effects on his job as psychologist
In addition, he confirmed that approximately a dozen people protested against him because he allegedly harmed people with what he posted on Twitter and with his comments on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast in the past four years.
Peterson assured that all those who attack and accuse him for his ideals were not even his psychological clients:
I have been accused of harming people (although none of the complainants involved in the current action were clients of mine, past or present, or were even acquainted with any of my clients).
- Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
