Albertans and Canadians value their freedoms. They know freedom is the foundation of our democracy and the reason we choose to build our lives here. Freedom of expression, in particular, is fundamentally important. It is the foundation that our democratic discourse is built on. For this freedom to be fully realized, people must be able to speak their mind without fear of losing their licence or their livelihood.

High-profile cases across Canada and, including in Alberta, have shown that some professional regulatory bodies have begun to overstep, policing personal beliefs and compelling ideological compliance. This is not acceptable and confirmed the need for clear legislative boundaries that protect free expression while preserving professional standards.

This is why we introduced the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act. This legislation keeps professional oversight focused on competence and ethics — not personal opinions or identity. It makes clear that professionals can share views outside of work without undue interference from any organization that regulates their industry.

If the new legislation passes, professional regulatory bodies will not be able to discipline professionals for expressive off-duty conduct with the exception of threats of violence, criminal actions, or intentional abuse of one’s professional position for malicious purposes. Expressive off-duty conduct refers to things a person says or does outside of work — on their own time — that express personal opinions, beliefs, or values. The legislation will continue to protect the public interest while ensuring professionals are free to speak their minds outside of work.

The Regulated Professions Neutrality Act also reinforces neutrality and fairness. The new act will not permit regulators to pursue ideological programs that discriminate against their members. Instead, regulators must treat professionals equally, regardless of personal identity categories such as race and gender, or religious or political beliefs. They cannot assign value or blame based on identity, or impose adverse or preferential treatment to achieve diversity, equity or inclusion. Fairness is not optional.

The new act would also end the ability for regulators to require mandatory education or training not related to professional competence or ethics. Professional development should build skills, not enforce beliefs. Under the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, any mandatory education or training must focus on competence and ethics.

The legislation draws a clear boundary by prohibiting regulators from requiring training that does not directly support professional skill or ethical standards. This respects professionals’ autonomy and freedom of thought and allows them to focus on training that helps them serve their clients, patients and students most effectively.

This is not about one profession or one incident. It is about principles. The Regulated Professions Neutrality Act safeguards freedom and the right to free speech without compromising standards.

Albertans deserve professionals who are competent, ethical and free to think independently. We are standing up for those values and for the future of Alberta’s professions.

National Post