New in hate: ‘Peterson law’

On November 20, a new bill spewing hate was announced by Premier Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party (UCP). Labelled as Bill 13, and colloquially known as ‘Peterson Law’, this bill’s goal is to promote free speech. Specifically for regulated professionals and what they say outside of work. At the same time, though, this bill restricts mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives for companies. None of this is truly helping free speech. It is just trying to fuel bigotry.

Nicknaming Bill 13 as ‘Peterson Law’ was a very deliberate choice. The psychiatrist, University of Alberta and Gateway alumnus, Jordan B. Peterson, has gained a vast following for divisive opinions. In 2023, he faced disciplinary proceedings for comments made in previous years. He made comments denying the existence of Nazi and white-supremacy culture in Canada, misgendering Elliot Page, and a slew of other comments made on the Joe Rogan podcast. 

The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) thought Peterson should be disciplined. This was for the unprofessionalism of his comments. Not, however, anything to do with the misinformation he was spreading. So now ‘Peterson law’ feels like an apt name for a bill promoting hate speech.

Protecting the off-duty free speech of regulated professionals is priority number one for Bill 13. These are jobs such as lawyers, teachers, doctors, and nurses. In the eyes of the UCP, the bill will disallow these professionals from legal discipline regarding what they say outside of work. On the surface, this sounds like a very reasonable thing to do. Protecting free speech is an inherently good thing. But there is a very big difference between the protection of free speech and protecting the individual hate mongers. This is especially true in light of non-mandatory DEI initiatives.

DEI initiatives are a benefit in nearly every way possible. But Smith has a differing opinion. “DEI is a very highly charged ideological doctrine,” Smith commented. I cannot make heads or tails of what is so indoctrinating about DEI initiatives. Except that it could be a poor excuse for not having to implement DEI initiatives. Essentially, making it so that companies across Alberta have the option of being racist, homophobic, and ableist without any legal backlash. But public opinion can always lead to public backlash.

There is nothing stopping people from holding opinions. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms explicitly says everyone has freedom of speech, but it says nothing about how people will react. For example, if the Prime Minister said something racist, there would be endless backlash. Of course, he cannot be arrested for what he said, but public opinion can make his life a true headache. In this scenario, Bill 13 has no real power and brings no real change. Except for the continuation of promoting racism.

Ultimately, Bill 13 is a poor excuse for a bill. Promoting free-speech rights while really proposing layers of bigotry. The killing of mandatory DEI initiatives seems to be the icing on the cake that no one asked for. But public opinion holds a lot of power. And it’s never going away. Peterson may be able to show off his misinformed opinions. But public opinion will always be there to hold Peterson, and others like him, back.