Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, has been ordered by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) to undergo a “re-education” program or risk losing his license.
“I have formally indicated my refusal to comply,” Dr. Peterson tweeted on Wednesday.
The action comes in response to complaints made by “about a dozen people from all over the world” regarding Peterson’s “public statements made on social media and during a January 25, 2022, podcast appearance” that “may have lacked professionalism,” according to a document from the CPO.
The document states that Peterson must work with another professional to “review, reflect on, and ameliorate [his] professionalism in public statements” and complete a “Coaching Program.”
If he refuses to comply, he could face discipline for professional misconduct.
Peterson has publicly announced his refusal to comply with the CPO’s demands, stating on Twitter that he has “formally indicated” his “refusal to comply.”
The psychologist claims that none of the individuals who made complaints against him were actual clients, but lied about it in order for their complaints to be accepted.
“If I comply, the terms of my re-education and my punishment will be announced publicly,” Peterson said.
He also tweeted, “Canadians: your physicians, lawyers, psychologists and other professionals are now so intimidated by their commissar overlords that they fear to tell you the truth. This means that your care and legal counsel has been rendered dangerously unreliable.”
The situation with the CPO arose after Peterson was reinstated on Twitter in November, following the platform’s purchase by Elon Musk.
In July 2022, Peterson was banned from Twitter for refusing to use a transgender actor’s new name and pronouns.
More recently, on Dec 27, he tweeted that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “appears to me to be perpetually 14 yrs old,” referencing the concept of “psychological age.”
