Jordan Peterson event at Centre in the Square draws sellout crowd, demonstration outside
There was both a sellout crowd inside and a demonstration outside of the Centre in the Square Wednesday evening for speaker Jordan Peterson.
The controversial psychologist and former University of Toronto professor turned internet celebrity was scheduled to speak at the publicly funded Kitchener venue for weeks.
In that time, there were numerous calls from community groups to cancel the event.
"His opinions have normalized inciting harm upon racialized individuals, queer individuals, and trans-identifying individuals," said demonstrator Aashay Dalvi.
A group of 20 greeted people attending the speech and called their demonstration outside the square a "rally against hate."
Police officers were also present to ensure public safety at what turned out to be a peaceful event.
"There are people that are harmed by the ideas that Jordan Peterson shares," said demonstrator William Turman. "What he is saying and the ideas he is spreading are not neutral and there are victims. There are people who don't think what he's saying is healthy or beneficial to everyone in the community."
Ground Up Waterloo Region and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region are among the community groups supporting the protest.
Both released statements condemning the City of Kitchener and the public funded venue for hosting Peterson.
"The Centre in the Square recognizes that the world of arts and culture is as rich and varied as the complexity of our community," a spokesperson for the venue wrote in an email to CTV News. "As a venue, the Centre in the Square does not endorse the content of its presentations, or does it police artistic expression or speech by performers, so long as it is within the bounds of the law."
The Kitchener lecture is one of several stops for Jordan Peterson.
The author, podcaster, and former professor gained international attention for his views on free speech, political correctness, and gender identity.
Peterson's media contact did not respond to CTV News' request for comment. CTV also approached multiple people attending the event who all declined an on camera interview.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bank of Canada's rapid rate hikes likely to cause a recession, study finds
The Bank of Canada's strategy of rapidly increasing its key interest rate in an effort to tackle skyrocketing inflation will likely trigger a recession, a new study from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) says.
WATCH LIVE | Independence Day parade shooting leaves 6 dead, 30 hurt; man detained
A shooter fired on an Independence Day parade from a rooftop in suburban Chicago, spraying the crowd with gunshots initially mistaken for fireworks before hundreds of panicked revellers of all ages fled in terror. At least six people were killed and at least 30 wounded.
Grab a seat: Facing passport office lineups, Canada looks to buy hundreds of chairs
As passport processing delays and long lineups persist at Service Canada offices, the federal government is looking to buy 801 chairs for people standing in line by the end of this week.
WATCH LIVE | Assembly of First Nations meets as suspended chief RoseAnne Archibald fights for financial audit
The annual gathering of the Assembly of First Nations is being held this week in Vancouver under a cloud of criticism from its national chief, who has been suspended and denied entry to the meeting.
Travelling soon? Here's how to have a stress-free airport experience
As Canadian airports continue to experience long lines, cancelled flights and even lost luggage, travel expert Natalie Preddie says there still are ways to ensure a less stressful airport experience.
Saving for retirement is becoming out of reach for young Canadians
Even though it may seem years away, saving for retirement is a top priority among 26 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34, a recent survey from the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan found. However, 79 per cent of respondents in that age group say saving for retirement is prohibitively expensive.
Cancelled flights have northern Ont. hospital risking ER closure
With doctor shortages causing emergency rooms around the country to shut down, a northern Ontario hospital is scrambling to stave off the same fate.
Daughter of Toronto Blue Jays coach killed in 'terrible accident' while tubing in U.S.
The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in a 'terrible accident' while tubing in the U.S. this weekend.
Ukrainian city of Sloviansk hit by 'massive shelling': mayor
A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in seizing an eastern Ukraine province essential to his wartime aims, a city in the path of Moscow's offensive came under sustained bombardment, its mayor said Tuesday.
London
-
Victim of fatal crash near Exeter, Ont. identified
Huron County OPP have identified the victim of a fatal crash north west of Exeter, Ont. on Monday evening.
-
'Offensive terms and symbols' spray painted in Elgin County
OPP in Elgin County are hoping somebody may have some footage of vandals.
-
Vintage bell stolen, church graffitied over Canada Day weekend
A south London church is appealing to the public to help find a vintage bell, reportedly stolen over the long weekend.
Windsor
-
Missing 20-year-old woman sought by Windsor police
Windsor police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing 20-year-old woman.
-
Shooting and stabbing investigation leads to charges for Chatham man
A 43-year-old Chatham man is facing several charges after reports of a stabbing and shots fired in Chatham.
-
Average house prices drop in Windsor-Essex
The average house price and sales are declining in the region, according to the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors.
Barrie
-
Image released of vehicle believed to be involved in Innisfil hit and run
Police in Innisfil released an image of a vehicle allegedly involved in a hit and run that sent a motorcyclist to the hospital.
-
Family appeals for witnesses on anniversary of son's death
The OPP released a video in the hope of solving the shooting death of Jonus Palmer that occurred near Midland one year ago.
-
SIU investigating after OPP officer fires anti-riot weapon at Omemee, Ont., break-in suspect
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an officer in Kawartha Lakes discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield to stop one suspect from fleeing following an alleged overnight break-in.
Northern Ontario
-
Cancelled flights have northern Ont. hospital risking ER closure
With doctor shortages causing emergency rooms around the country to shut down, a northern Ontario hospital is scrambling to stave off the same fate.
-
Manitoulin driver charged in collision that killed passenger
A 25-year-old resident of Mindemoya has been charged in connection with a fatal crash June 4 north of Webbwood.
-
Soo steelworkers back strike vote by 99%
At a special meeting of United Steelworkers Local 2251, membership backed its negotiating team in talks with Algoma Steel with a strike authorization vote of 99% Monday, the union said in a release.
Ottawa
-
Elderly woman dies after being hit by garbage truck
An elderly woman has died after being hit by a garbage truck Monday morning.
-
Ottawa police under investigation after officer shot barricaded man with anti-riot weapon
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an Ottawa police officer shot a man with an anti-riot weapon Monday.
-
City warning of rise in overdoses after five deaths in one week
The city of Ottawa and overdose prevention partners are warning residents of an increase in suspected overdose-related deaths after five people died in the last week.
Toronto
-
These Ontario cities and towns are now paying people to visit
A few Ontario cities and towns are now offering to pay tourists to encourage them to stay overnight this summer.
-
Driver of $460,000 Lamborghini busted going nearly triple speed limit
The driver of a Lamborghini, which is worth nearly half a million dollars, is facing a stunt driving charge after being caught going nearly triple the speed limit, police say.
-
People warned to stop stomping on canola crops to take selfies
Two 'serious instances' involving people endangering crops to take selfies at an Ontario canola farm have prompted police to warn the public about the potential consequences of trespassing into crop fields.
Montreal
-
Two young ER doctors quit Montreal jobs, blaming Quebec's broken health-care system and Bill 96
Two young emergency room doctors, raised and trained in Montreal, are leaving their jobs after only two years to move back to Toronto – and they say the Quebec health-care model and Bill 96 are to blame.
-
Quebec reports jump in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations as province adds 20 deaths
Quebec is reporting another jump in COVID-19 cases on Tuesday as the province records 20 more deaths and 147 additional hospitalizations in the last 24 hours.
-
COVID-19 outbreaks lead to temporary closure of at least 3 Quebec sleepaway camps
At least three sleepaway camps in Quebec have temporarily shut down because of COVID-19 outbreaks, according to the province's camps association (ACQ).
Atlantic
-
Woman, teen, one-year-old die in East Port Hebert, N.S., crash
A woman, a teenager and a one-year-old child have died following a crash in East Port Hebert, N.S., on Monday.
-
Staffing shortages still impacting ambulance wait times in Nova Scotia
A day after a Nova Scotia woman shared her story about driving her son to the hospital after waiting for an ambulance, her provincial politician is calling for better services and accountability.
-
Halifax closing Meagher Park, unhoused people to be moved
A park in west end Halifax that became the site of an encampment last fall is closing to the public and removing unhoused inhabitants in the process.
Winnipeg
-
Man missing since January 2021 believed to be a victim of foul play: Winnipeg police
It has been a year and a half since a 33-year-old man disappeared in Winnipeg. Police now believe he was a victim of foul play and say someone out there knows something.
-
'Serious' incident on Main Street sends one person to hospital: police
A section of Winnipeg’s Main Street is closed on Tuesday morning due to a “serious” incident that left one person in critical condition, according to police.
-
Longstanding Osborne Village buildings to be demolished on Tuesday
A pair of longstanding buildings in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village are set to be demolished beginning on Tuesday.
Calgary
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Sundre man found dead at local McDonald's, suspect charged with first-degree-murder
A 27-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a death at the McDonald's in Sundre, Alta. early Monday morning.
-
Calgary city council to debate $87B climate strategy
Calgary councillors are scheduled to debate and vote on a 99-page climate strategy.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Calgary warms up, still a risk of storms
Afternoon storm risk in Calgary Tuesday and Wednesday.
Edmonton
-
Josh Classen's forecast: Morning rain, afternoon hit-and-miss showers
Periods of steadier, light rain are making their way across the Edmonton region and much of central and north-central Alberta this morning.
-
Flight spends 2 hours circling Edmonton after landing gear damaged
An Edmonton flight bound for Halifax never made it to its destination after a landing gear sustained damage during takeoff Monday afternoon.
-
2 hospitalized after drive-by shooting in northeast Edmonton
Two people are in hospital with gunshot wounds after a drive-by shooting in northeast Edmonton Monday evening.
Vancouver
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Abbotsford city hall closed due to fire
Wondering what's up at Abbotsford City Hall? The building has been closed due to fire, officials say.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | 16-year-old stabbed at Surrey, B.C., high school; 2 teenagers arrested
Two teenagers were arrested after the stabbing of a third teen at a Surrey, B.C., high school, Mounties say.
-
B.C. nurse put patients in dining room overnight with windows open, lights on, no blankets: college
A nurse in B.C.'s Interior has been suspended for a week, prohibited from working alone and ordered to undergo "remedial ethics education" due to their treatment of patients while working the night shift.