Another Rejection by the Ontario Court for Jordan Peterson
Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson is appearing in the media again after the Ontario Divisional Court ruled against him in his efforts to overturn a demand by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) that he attend a social media training course. It happened after the controversial psychologist was found to have acted in an unprofessional manner.
A three judge-panel made a quick ruling in rejecting his motion to file new evidence.
Last November, the CPO determined that Peterson’s conduct violated the code of conduct which members of college are held. They maintain that college’s ethics code requires members to avoid using language that engage in “unjust discrimination.” They criticized his statements made during an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In it, they say he demeaned a former client. He did this while identifying himself as a clinical psychologist.
In social media posts, he’s made degrading comments about actor Elliot Page, a transgender individual, a plus-size model, as well as irrational remarks about Canadian politicians.
The PCO determined that Peterson “may be engaging in degrading, demeaning, and unprofessional comments”. They also said that Peterson’s comments posed “moderate risks of harm to the public,” as well as, “undermining public trust in the profession of psychology.”
The investigation began after the CPO receive numerous complains about his conduct relating to the podcast appearance. However, the CPO says that they’ve been receiving complaints about his conduct since 2018.
Since Peterson has lost his appeal, he is required to undergo social media training to promote professional conduct and is ordered to pay the college $25,000.
In the ruling Divisional Court Justice Paul Schabas wrote:
“Dr. Peterson sees himself functioning as a clinical psychologist ‘in the broad public space’ where he claims to be helping ‘millions of people.'”
“Peterson cannot have it both ways: he cannot speak as a member of a regulated profession without taking responsibility for the risk of harm that flows from him speaking in that trusted capacity.”
They also ruled that the PCO requires him to alter his conduct, not his opinion, thus not violating his freedom of speech. He said the requirement “is not disciplinary and does not prevent Dr. Peterson from expressing himself on controversial topics.” It should be noted that if Peterson does not comply with the PCOs’ order, it could result in an allegation of professional misconduct.
Peterson has dutifully misrepresented this situation in the media to garner support from the right wing and other elements. He’s framed this entire situation as a matter of censorship by the so-called “woke” conspiracy. This simply isn’t true. He hasn’t been censored, he hasn’t been told what he’s allowed to say. He has been told how he’s allowed to say it as a representative of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, of which he is voluntarily a member. He can leave at any time. In fact, he should leave.
Peterson feels that he doesn’t have to conform to the professional standards outlined by the regulatory body of his profession. But he wants to stay and take official status. He wants officialdom without having to abide by it.
Instead of simply admitting that he is wrong, or leaving the organization, he’s chosen to invoke a mob of bigoted conspiracy-minded individuals. Ill-conceived publications like The Post Millennial have chosen to refer to the social media professionalism course as a “re-education camp.” Such hyperbole only serves to underline the lack of critical thinking being done. Everything that disagrees with their highly regimented persecution complex-oriented worldview is an act of aggression.
Peterson is making himself a “victim” by being in an organization he doesn’t have to be a part of, just as his followers are victims only in their own minds.
Sources:
Ontario court rules against Jordan Peterson, upholds social media training order, CBC
https://globalnews.ca/news/9913905/jordan-peterson-case-social-media-complaints/
Ontario College of Psychologists vs. Jordan Peterson by National Post, Scribd
https://www.scribd.com/document/618259056/Ontario-College-of-Psychologists-vs-Jordan-Peterson
Jordan Peterson BLASTS woke Ontario College of Psychologists after re-education camp decision upheld: 'The war has barely started', The Post Millennial