Danielle Smith wants legislation so AB psychologists can tell people to kill themselves

Smith tweeted an article on a website owned by a former UCP member which reads in part

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the government was looking into legislation to prevent regulatory colleges from punishing people for their political views like what has happened with prominent Canadian psychologist and author Dr. Jordan Peterson.

As a member of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, Dr. Jordan Peterson agreed to follow their Standards of Professional Conduct.  In 2022 “to address issues regarding professionalism in public statements”, he was was required to complete a course.

Dr Peterson sought judicial review of this requirement, and was denied.  The main decision indicating

When individuals join a regulated profession, they do not lose their Charter right to freedom of expression. At the same time, however, they take on obligations and must abide by the rules of their regulatory body that may limit their freedom of expression.

 

Many professional bodies endeavour to keep their members (and thus their image and profession as a whole) in good standing with the general public.  In their Code of Ethics, the Clowns of America International list, as commandment 8, “I will be committed to providing an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment for clowns of all ages to share ideas and learn about the art of clowning“.  Reading from the decision linked above, Jordan Peterson’s actions would (in the author’s opinion) have garnered censure as being beneath the professionalism of a clown.