Major Controversies Surrounding Jordan Peterson: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Jordan Peterson—discover key moments of controversy.

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and commentator known for his views on cultural and political issues. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s, he's often labeled as conservative but identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist. His work explores psychology, mythology, religion, and personal development, emphasizing individual responsibility and the importance of traditional values. Peterson gained significant attention for his opposition to certain aspects of political correctness and identity politics.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 2016: Releases Videos Criticizing Bill C-16

In September 2016, Jordan Peterson released a series of videos criticizing Bill C-16.

September 2016: Statement on preferred pronouns

In September 2016, Peterson addressed his stance on complying with requests to use preferred pronouns.

September 2016: Released lecture video series and refusal to use preferred pronouns

On 27 September 2016, Peterson released the first installment of a three-part lecture video series, entitled "Professor against political correctness: Part I: Fear and the Law". In the video, he stated that he would not use the preferred gender pronouns of students and faculty, alleging it fell under compelled speech and said that he opposed the Canadian government's Bill C-16.

2016: Criticizes Bill C-16

In 2016, Jordan Peterson released a series of YouTube videos criticizing a Canadian law (Bill C-16) that prohibited discrimination against gender identity and expression. He argued that the bill would make the use of certain gender pronouns compelled speech.

February 2017: Influence on Maxime Bernier's stance on Bill C-16

In February 2017, Maxime Bernier shifted his position on Bill C-16 to opposition after meeting and discussing it with Peterson.

April 2017: Denied SSHRC grant

In April 2017, Peterson was denied a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant, which he claimed was retaliation for his statements regarding Bill C-16.

May 2017: Spoke against Bill C-16 at a Canadian Senate Committee

In May 2017, Peterson spoke against Bill C-16 at a Canadian Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs hearing, as one of 24 invited witnesses.

November 2017: Censure of Lindsay Shepherd for showing Peterson debate

In November 2017, Lindsay Shepherd was censured for showing a segment of The Agenda featuring Peterson debating Bill C-16. The censure was later withdrawn with apologies.

2017: Interview on self-censorship among journalists

In 2017, Peterson claimed in an interview with the Toronto Sun that a controversy around cultural appropriation had promoted self-censorship among journalists. He argued that censorship leads to deception.

2017: Proposed defunding of liberal arts programs

In 2017, Peterson proposed cutting funding for liberal arts programs in Canada, claiming students were being indoctrinated with "cultural Marxism". He specifically advised against subjects such as women's studies, sociology, and ethnic studies.

February 2018: Agreement with the College of Psychologists of Ontario

In February 2018, Jordan Peterson entered into an agreement with the College of Psychologists of Ontario after a professional misconduct complaint about his communication and the boundaries he sets with his patients.

June 2018: Debate with Sam Harris in Vancouver

In June 2018, Jordan Peterson debated Sam Harris on the topic of religion and God at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, moderated by Bret Weinstein.

June 2018: Lawsuit against Wilfrid Laurier University

In June 2018, Peterson filed a $1.5-million lawsuit against Wilfrid Laurier University, alleging defamation by staff members.

2018: Criticism of arguments and association with "intellectual dark web"

In 2018, Peterson's arguments on topics like postmodernism and gender identity were criticized as "conspiratorial". He was also associated with the "intellectual dark web".

2018: Debate on gender pay gap

In 2018, a Channel 4 News interview with Cathy Newman included a debate over the gender pay gap where Peterson claimed a "multivariate analysis of the pay gap indicates that it doesn't exist". Newman received criticism and was the victim of online harassment, which Peterson condemned.

2018: Opposition to identity politics

In a 2018 interview with Time magazine, Peterson expressed his opposition to identity politics, arguing that both the left and the right engage in it, and that it is dangerous. He advocated for individual responsibility.

January 2019: Deletes Patreon Account

In January 2019, Jordan Peterson deleted his Patreon account in public protest of the platform's controversial banning of anti-feminist content creator, Carl Benjamin.

March 2019: Cambridge University rescinded fellowship invitation

In March 2019, Cambridge University rescinded a visiting fellowship invitation to Peterson due to concerns over his association with someone wearing an "I'm a proud Islamophobe" shirt, conflicting with the university's commitment to interfaith dialogue. Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope explained that the faculty rescinded the invitation due to a conflict between Peterson's "casual endorsement by association" and the school's commitment to interfaith dialogue.

April 2019: Debate with Slavoj Žižek in Toronto

In April 2019, Jordan Peterson debated Slavoj Žižek at the Sony Centre in Toronto over happiness under capitalism versus Marxism.

November 2020: Criticism of Peterson's Book by Penguin Random House Employees

On November 23, 2020, Peterson's publisher Penguin Random House Canada (PRH Canada) held an internal town hall where many employees criticized the decision to publish his book.

2020: Analysis of Mikhaila's Lion Diet

In 2020, a New Republic article analyzed Mikhaila Peterson's "lion diet" and her role as a nutrition influencer.

2020: CPO Investigates Peterson's Statements

In March 2020 the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) investigated statements made by Peterson, concluding the investigation without making any orders but expressed concern about his tone.

January 2022: Statements Under Investigation

Between January 2022 and June 2022 the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

January 2022: Interview on The Joe Rogan Experience

In January 2022, Peterson was interviewed by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience. During this appearance, Peterson stated that the Earth's climate is too complicated to accurately model, which led to criticism from climate scientists.

June 2022: Statements Under Investigation

Between January 2022 and June 2022 the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

June 2022: Twitter Account Suspended

On June 29 2022, Peterson's Twitter account was suspended under the site's "hateful conduct policy" after posting a tweet misgendering and deadnaming transgender actor Elliot Page, calling his physician "a criminal".

November 2022: ICRC Orders Remedial Program

In November 2022, the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

2022: Peterson as a Polarizing Figure

In 2022, Mick Brown wrote in The Daily Telegraph that Peterson "has become the most visible, outspoken and certainly the most polarising figure in the 'culture wars' between Left and Right, challenging the new orthodoxies of political correctness that have permeated academia, education, and political and cultural life."

2022: Olivia Wilde's Inspiration for "Don't Worry Darling" Character

In 2022, Olivia Wilde stated that the character Frank in her film "Don't Worry Darling" was inspired by Jordan Peterson, whom she described in unflattering terms. Peterson responded by criticizing the film and defending the term "incel".

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2022: Climate change remarks on The Joe Rogan Experience

In 2022, Peterson made controversial statements about climate change on The Joe Rogan Experience, denying the accuracy of climate modeling and confusing it with weather forecasting, repeating disinformation from an "Exxon-funded climate denier" and falsely asserted that fracking has not polluted water supplies. These remarks were criticized by climate scientists.

2022: ICRC Decision on Peterson's Statements

In 2022, the ICRC's reasoning in their decision was transparent, intelligible, justifiable, and reasonable

August 2023: Appeal Reviewed by Ontario Divisional Court

In August 2023, Peterson's appeal was reviewed by a panel of three judges of the Ontario Divisional Court, who unanimously upheld the college's initial decision and ordered Peterson to pay the CPO $25,000 in legal costs.

November 2023: Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference

In November 2023, the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, an organization affiliated with Peterson, held a conference. The conference featured speakers who downplayed anthropogenic climate change and promoted fossil fuels, and was characterized by some as a platform for climate change denialism.

January 2024: Decision Upheld on Appeal

In January 2024, the Ontario Divisional Court decision was upheld on appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

August 2024: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal

In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal from the appeal court decision, closing Peterson's legal options for resisting the social media training.

October 2024: Trudeau Claims Peterson Funded by RT

In October 2024, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said under oath that Jordan Peterson was funded by Russian state-owned media outlet RT. Peterson responded by considering legal action.

November 24, 2024: Criticism in The Guardian

On November 24, 2024, Martha Gill's Observer Column in The Guardian reiterated criticisms of Peterson, noting social dynamics facilitating his appeal and suggesting he was tapping into the self-improvement market among young men while advocating spirituality.