New legislation aims to limit how regulatory colleges discipline professionals for speech unrelated to their clinical practice.
Alberta has introduced the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, popularly known as the “Peterson Law.” This legislation seeks to prevent regulatory bodies from sanctioning health professionals for expressing personal or political opinions outside of their professional duties. The law responds to high-profile cases where professionals faced disciplinary action for public comments. It requires colleges to distinguish between professional misconduct and protected speech. Regulators must ensure that disciplinary actions do not infringe upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law aims to provide a clearer framework for what constitutes “unprofessional conduct.” It specifically targets the use of “civility” or “professionalism” standards to silence personal viewpoints. This move could reshape professional regulation across Canada.
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