Jordan Peterson moves to US over anti-hate speech bill
Controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson has fled Canada as liberals push to pass legislation that he says will suppress free speech and turn the country into a “totalitarian hellhole.”
Speaking in a recent episode of his daughter’s show, “The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast,” Peterson said he opted to move to the US over the contentious bill, C-63, and ongoing feud with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
“The issue with the College of Psychologists is very annoying, to say the least, and the new legislation that the liberals are attempting to push through, Bill C-63, we’d all be living in a totalitarian hellhole if it passes,” Peterson said.
Bill C-63, known as the Online Harms Act, is aimed at targeting hate speech and looks to hold social media services accountable for reducing the amount of harmful content on their platforms.
The bill has garnered backlash among several free speech groups who claim it would lead to online speech suppression and surveillance.
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association claimed the bill had the potential to lead to wrongful convictions, while other opponents claimed a complaint could be filed over just the “fear” that someone may commit a hate crime.
The Canadian government announced earlier this month that it was splitting the bill into two separate pieces of legislation to leave out the free speech implications while also ensuring the child protection aspects of the bill.
Meanwhile, Peterson — who has drawn criticism over his comments on transgenderism, racism and COVID-19 — remains in contention with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, which threatened to pull his practicing license if he doesn’t complete a social media re-education training course.
Peterson had challenged the order in court, but Canada’s Supreme Court dismissed his appeal against the college’s decision in August.
Along with his issues in his native land, Peterson claimed Canada has also become too expensive to live under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“The tax situation is out of hand,” Peterson said on the podcast.
“The government in Canada at the federal level is incompetent beyond belief, and it’s become uncomfortable for me in my neighborhood in Toronto,” he added.
While Peterson did not say where he has moved to in the US, he mentioned his new residence allows him to be closer to his daughter, who lives in Arizona.
“It is very nice to be somewhere where every single day is sunny,” he said, hinting at his new abode.
