Conservative speaker Jordan Peterson cancels Ottawa appearance next month

Jordan Peterson speaks in Sherwood Park Alta, on Feb. 11, 2018. (Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Canadian author and conservative speaker Jordan Peterson has cancelled his arena speaking appearance in Ottawa next month.

Peterson’s “An Evening to Transform Your Life” event was scheduled at the Canadian Tire Centre on March 5. No reason for the cancellation was provided.

The event is one of five currently listed as cancelled on Ticketmaster’s website, including shows in California, Pennsylvania and Florida. Over 20 other appearances on the lineup, including an event in Toronto on March 6, are still scheduled to go forward.

Representatives for Peterson and the Canadian Tire Centre did not respond to a request for comment.

Peterson last appeared at the Canadian Tire Centre in early 2023 to promote his second book and prompted criticism from a city councillor and community groups who asked that organizers cancel the event.

The polarizing former University of Toronto psychology professor rose to prominence through his YouTube videos criticizing liberal culture and online commentary on a range of issues, including gender identity, masculinity and religion.

An Ontario court ruled against Peterson last year, upholding an order from the College of Psychologists of Ontario that he undergo social media training or potentially lose his licence to practice over his comments.

Two of his books, 12 Rules for Life and Beyond Order, have sold more than seven million copies, according to his website.

Ticketmaster says those who purchased tickets to Peterson’s cancelled Ottawa show will be refunded within 14 to 21 days.