Albertans value their right to free speech and free expression. As part of Alberta’s commitment to protecting all Albertans’ rights and freedoms, the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act will set clear expectations for professional regulatory bodies to ensure professionals’ right to free expression is protected.
High-profile cases across Canada, including the disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Jordan Peterson by the College of Psychologists of Ontario, demonstrate how regulatory bodies can extend their reach into personal expression rather than professional competence. Similar cases involving nurses, engineers and other professionals revealed a growing pattern: individuals facing investigations, penalties or compulsory ideological training for off-duty expressive conduct. These incidents became a catalyst, confirming the need for clear legislative boundaries that protect free expression while preserving professional standards.
“Professionals should never fear losing their licence or career because of a social media post, an interview, or a personal opinion expressed on their own time. Alberta’s government is restoring fairness and neutrality so regulators focus on competence and ethics, not policing beliefs. Every Albertan has the right to speak freely without ideological enforcement or intimidation, and this legislation makes that protection real.”
The Regulated Professions Neutrality Act will:
- Limit professional regulatory bodies from disciplining professionals for expressive off-duty conduct, except in specific circumstances such as threats of physical violence or a criminal conviction.
- Restrict mandatory training unrelated to competence or ethics, such as diversity, equity and inclusion training.
- Create principles of neutrality that prohibit professional regulatory bodies from assigning value, blame or different treatment to individuals based on personally held views or political beliefs.
“Every Albertan must be able to express their opinions and beliefs freely without fear of losing their job or being punished. This legislation makes that protection real and holds professional regulatory bodies to a clear standard.”
The legislation also establishes a consistent standard of review for courts and internal appeal bodies when there are judicial reviews or appeals of decisions on matters related to the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the Alberta Bill of Rights.
Alberta’s government conducted a review of professional regulatory bodies in fall 2024 that included an engagement with more than 100 regulated professions across multiple sectors.
“Do we really want to live in a country where our regulated professionals are discouraged from, and punished for, engaging with ideas and sharing their thoughts and views? We all suffer when we live in a climate of fear and self-censorship. The freedom to express ourselves and debate ideas is so critical to progress and democracy. We want regulated professionals who think, speak and engage – rather than stew in silence and fear.”
“Our capacity to affect one another through positive change is endless and standing in our personal convictions creates change long before we can see it. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who stayed strong in their convictions of upholding the right to free speech. We’re witnessing the continued impact that will ripple throughout time.”
"It is very important to me that Alberta's regulator of professional engineers is not allowed to restrict how I speak about my personal trans identity. I’m pleased that professionals in Alberta will have their right to free expression protected."
“Throughout history, lawyers have played a critical role in safeguarding the freedoms that define our province. These freedoms should never be set aside as a requirement to enter or remain in the profession. I am encouraged that moving forward, lawyers will not be compelled to endorse political or ideological positions or engage in ideological education programs as a condition of practice.”
Quick facts
- Professional regulatory bodies set standards of competence and conduct for their members and discipline those who fail to meet them.
- If passed, proposed amendments would take effect upon proclamation.
Related information
- Bill 13: Regulated Professions Neutrality Act
- Protecting freedom of expression for regulated professionals
- Regulated Professions Neutrality Act (fact sheet)
- List of regulated professions
Related news
- Protecting Albertans’ rights and freedoms (Oct. 23, 2024)