Canadian clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson shared this disturbing news today:
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
“Mandatory social media communication retraining” sure sounds a lot like “re-education”.
The announcement caught the eye of Twitter owner Elon Musk:
!!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2023
It's worse than you think in Canada @elonmusk. Regulated professionals are now terrified into silence by their respective colleges. This means they are no longer able to say what they believe to be true. And who needs that from their lawyers, physicians — or psychologists? https://t.co/sWvIPVHU0e
— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
That is extremely concerning!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2023
It certainly is.
Peterson clarified the situation further:
To clarify: it's been decided: I either submit to social media communication retraining or face a disciplinary hearing and possible suspension of my clinical license and the right to represent myself as a psychologist @elonmusk @CPOntario https://t.co/qmsje8flyN
— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
Peterson must either undergo the retraining or risk the possible loss of his clinical license via a disciplinary hearing. Even a passing acquaintance with Peterson’s views on such tactics and proceedings makes it clear he won’t go down without a fight:
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I am mounting a constitutional challenge but have little faith in the remaining integrity of the Canadian judiciary. And I can't believe I am now faced with the necessity of doing such things and not believing they will work.
— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) January 3, 2023
Per their website, the College of Psychologists of Ontario defines it’s purpose as follows:
The College of Psychologists of Ontario is the governing body for psychological practitioners, Psychologists and Psychological Associates, in Ontario. The College is not a university, school or community college; its mandate is to protect the public interest by monitoring and regulating the practice of psychology.
It’s not clear what Peterson’s social media posts have to do with his ability to ethically maintain his license, and the CPO has not responded to the claim. More than a few people dropped by their Twitter page to note the similarities between this situation and a certain anti-dystopian literary classic:
Orwellian tyrants.
— Mark (@MarkD975) January 3, 2023
— 𝐎𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐫 𝐏.𝐇. (@RymdAngest) January 3, 2023
Best wishes to you, Dear Ministry! pic.twitter.com/I0QqzKxdg5
— JCX (@JCX) January 3, 2023
College of Psychologists of Oceania
— Matthew Drifter (@sinceredrifter) January 4, 2023
Perfect.
What in the 1984 is this nonesense?
— Katherine Brodsky (@mysteriouskat) January 3, 2023
Great question, and a great reminder that 1984 was supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual.
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