‘Peterson law’: Alberta bill to limit power of regulatory bodies on member behaviour

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government plans to limit what behaviour professional regulators can police in the interest of strengthening freedom of expression.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government plans to limit what behaviour professional regulators can police in the interest of strengthening freedom of expression.

A bill introduced in the house Thursday aims to narrow what kind of behaviour regulated professionals — from architects to welders — can be disciplined for by their regulators.

Smith is calling it Alberta’s “Peterson law,” after Ontario psychologist and social media personality Jordan Peterson, who was sanctioned by his province’s professional regulator for controversial public statements.

“When regulators begin disciplining people for simply speaking their mind on their own time, that’s overreach and, at its worst, it becomes an outright threat to free expression,” Smith told reporters before the bill was introduced.

She added her United Conservative Party government wants regulators focused on the professional competence of their members.

“I don’t think anybody’s shy about criticizing our government. I think what we have heard, though, is that there are people who are concerned that they’re going to get punished by their professional college if they support our government,” Smith said.

She said she has heard from nurses, doctors and teachers who have been punished or had their licences threatened for off-duty comments made on social media, at protests or at city council meetings.

Under the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act legislation, regulatory bodies would still be able to discipline members for conduct outside their practice in some circumstances.