Psychologist and public speaker Jordan Peterson says the challenges young Canadians face in trying to get ahead in society are not problems but opportunities for new leaders to engage in social issues.
Peterson made the comments at a speaking event in Abbotsford, B.C., on April 1, responding to a question about how young Canadian men can move forward in life, given progressive policies they may disagree with. The event was part of Peterson’s international lecture tour, “An Evening to Transform Your Life,” which includes dates in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Psychologist Jordan Peterson and his wife Tammy Peterson on stage at an event in Abbotsford, B.C., on April 1, 2025. The Epoch Times
The question was read by Peterson’s wife, Tammy Peterson, who was also on stage. She is a public speaker and podcaster who discusses social issues, including those “facing boys and men in a feminist world.”
Responding to the question, Jordan Peterson said that while things might not be as tough as for previous generations, young Canadians can see challenges as opportunities to get involved in finding solutions.
“Built into the idea of success ahead is a vision of you overcoming difficult obstacles and developing along the way,” Peterson said. “If you can see these problems, which you’ve laid out, then you can also be the solution to the problems.”
Peterson, a University of Toronto professor emeritus, said the challenges facing young Canadians can also be viewed from a “historical” perspective, mentioning how his grandparents were homesteaders in Saskatchewan and had to “set up a new life in a frigid wasteland.”
“That was hard,” Peterson said. “My suspicions are you probably don’t have that problem.”
He said that when someone believes things can be improved, it presents an opportunity for leadership. If they’re dissatisfied with how issues are being handled by political leaders, Peterson said, “then you obviously believe that you have something to offer that’s better than they have to offer.”
“And so the right question in response to that is, what the hell are you doing about it? And if the answer is feeling morally superior without the effort, then you’re definitely part of the problem.”
Leadership can take many forms, Peterson said, such as running for a school board, becoming a city councillor, or supporting others in taking on such roles to bring in different perspectives.
He said anyone can be a leader, even if they don’t consider themselves good speakers. “If it’s a problem that you see, well, then you’re wise enough to at least detect the problem. And so maybe that’s exactly that pathway for your opportunity,” he said.
“There’s no treasure without a dragon,” he added. “But there’s also no dragon without a treasure.”
Peterson, an outspoken advocate for free speech, was born and raised in Alberta. Last year, he announced plans to move to the United States, citing challenges with his regulatory college, the College of Psychologists of Ontario, as one of the reasons.
Peterson faced disciplinary action from the college, which ordered him to undergo social media training for comments he made online about a plus-sized model, transgender actor Elliot Page, and several politicians. Following a legal battle, Peterson agreed to the training, saying he would “publicize every single bit of it.”
Carolina Avendano
Author
Carolina Avendano has been a reporter with the Canadian edition of The Epoch Times since 2024.
