November 20,2025
RED FM News Desk
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government is moving to restrict the types of conduct that professional regulators can oversee, saying the change is needed to protect freedom of expression.
A newly introduced bill would narrow the scope of behaviour for which regulated professionals — from architects to welders — can be disciplined by their independent oversight bodies.
Smith has dubbed the measure Alberta’s “Peterson law,” referencing Ontario psychologist and online commentator Jordan Peterson, who faced sanctions from his regulatory college for controversial public remarks.
She argues that regulatory bodies have overstepped by punishing people for “speaking their own mind on their own time,” and says they should focus primarily on assessing professional competence.
According to Smith, the government has heard from nurses, doctors, and teachers who say they were reprimanded or had their licences threatened over comments made off the job — including on social media, at protests, or in city council meetings.
The bill, introduced by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, would also place limits on mandatory training requirements for members of regulated professions.
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