Jordan Peterson, a controversial psychologist and media commentator, is coming to Central Alberta.
Take Back Alberta is presenting an evening with Peterson at the Parkland Pavillion at Red Deer’s Westerner Park on May 22.
“At this exclusive event, Dr. Peterson will share his perspectives on the importance of civic engagement and democracy,” the event page describes.
Peterson, a published author and former University of Toronto professor has received millions of views on Youtube – one recent video includes a long-form sit-down interview with Alberta’s United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith. He is currently signed to a content deal with conservative media company The Daily Wire.
Peterson, who was born and raised in Alberta, gained widespread fame after releasing a series of videos criticizing an act passed by the Parliament of Canada to introduce gender identity and expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination. He claimed his objection to the bill was based on free-speech implications.
This series of videos drew criticism from transgender activists and labour unions, some of whom claimed Peterson was mischaracterizing the law and fuelling an environment of hatred.
In 2022, Peterson was suspended by Twitter for misgendering and deadnaming transgender actor Elliot Page. He refused to delete the tweet and apologize, but his account was later restored regardless after Elon Musk acquired the company.
Earlier this year, the College of Psychologists of Ontario ordered Peterson to undergo social media communication coaching after receiving complaints regarding his views on climate change, as well as his online comments towards Elliot Page, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former principal secretary Gerald Butts and a plus-sized Sports Illustrated model, who he claimed was “not beautiful” due to her weight.
Peterson claimed the college was infringing on his charter rights to free expression and filed for judicial review.
Tickets for the event in Red Deer, which cost between $89 to $556, are available on www.showpass.com.
According to their website, Take Back Alberta is “a grassroots movement built to advance freedom and transfer power from the ruling elite to the people” of the province.
The movement has supported the Coutts border blockade and convoy protests in Ottawa, and was strongly opposed to vaccines or restrictions during the height of the COVID pandemic, while favouring privatization of elements of health care, a provincial police force and an Alberta pension plan, said Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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