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Smith is calling it Alberta's "Peterson law," after the Ontario psychologist and social media personality Jordan Peterson, who was sanctioned by his province's professional regulator for controversial public statements.

"When regulators begin disciplining people for simply speaking their mind on their own time, that's overreach, and at its worst, it becomes an outright threat to free expression," Smith told reporters before the bill was introduced.

She added her United Conservative government wants regulators focused on the professional competence of their members.

"I don't think anybody's shy about criticizing our government. I think what we have heard, though, is that there are people who are concerned that they're going to get punished by their professional college if they support our government," Smith said.

She said she has heard from nurses, doctors and teachers who have been punished or had their licences threatened for off-duty comments made on social media, at protests or city council meetings.

Under the legislation, regulatory bodies would still be able to discipline members outside of their practice in some circumstances. That includes when a person threatens violence, is convicted of an offence for their expression, or misuses their position "with the intent to harm an identifiable person."

The bill, introduced by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, would also limit what professional training members might be compelled to take.

"Any education or training that addresses political, historical, social or cultural issues can only be required if it's directly related to professional competence or ethics and necessary for that purpose, and it must not attempt to prescribe the range of acceptable opinions on those issues," said Amery.

Amery declined to speculate on specific examples of what exactly would be prohibited, saying that it might be determined on a case-by-case basis.

"If it is to further a political, social or cultural objective, and that is a debatable issue in general, then this act will prevent that from happening," said Amery.

He said the bill is meant to guide professional regulatory bodies, but "the decision-making process will lie within the regulators themselves."

But if an organization goes too far, "then we'll certainly hear about it," he said.

This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Nov. 20, 2025.