If Jordan Peterson and Pierre Poilievre Want To Be Judged According To Their “Character,” Let’s Take A Minute To Do Just That…

Jan 5, 2025

I’m all for anyone doing a podcast with anyone, so I didn’t care about the Peterson/Pierre Pod.

I thought Jordan Peterson’s Pod with the Future far-right PM of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, was on brand, hilarious, empty, comedy. Full of victim blaming, DEI/LGBTQ/ “Woke” grievances, and outright lies with a through line that no one would be judged by what they say or do, who they associate with, and the actions of others they choose to associate with.

Not to mention a coward’s way out for Poilievre.

So, when Jordan Peterson and Pierre Poilievre declared that “everyone should judge each other by the content of their character.”  After all, who could disagree? But if we take them at their word and judge their character, the results aren’t exactly glowing. Let’s break down what “character” really means and how these two icons of the Maple MAGA crowd fall spectacularly short. Poilievre and Peterson conducted a wildly fucked up interview where they denied the existence of racism in Canada, demanding people get judged by the content of their character in 60 seconds or less.

LOL. Hard to do…

What Does “Character” Actually Mean?

In its simplest terms, character refers to a person’s moral and ethical qualities—honesty, integrity, empathy, and a commitment to the greater good. Good character isn’t about slogans or soundbites; it’s about consistent actions and decisions that reflect these values. It’s about walking the talk. Being a good human who advocates for others, tells the truth, is self-reflective, honest, and trustworthy—someone who isn’t easily angered. Character is also calm, fair, wise, and courageous.

So, how do Jordan Peterson and Pierre Poilievre measure up when it comes to being of “Good Character?”

Spoiler alert: not great.

Jordan Peterson: A Case Study in Professional Misconduct

    1. Misinformation and Harmful Rhetoric
      Peterson’s professional conduct (or lack thereof) is a masterclass in bad character. His opposition to Canada’s Bill C-16, which added gender identity and expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act, wasn’t just a fight for “free speech”—it was a thinly veiled attack on the rights of trans people. The result? A spike in anti-trans rhetoric that’s hurt the mental health of an already vulnerable community. Peterson often portrays progressive movements as existential threats. For instance, he equates social justice initiatives with Marxism, claiming they herald the downfall of Western civilization. Such hyperbole isn’t just misleading—it’s designed to stir division and fear.
    2. Russia and Disinformation
      According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sworn testimony, Peterson has allegedly been linked to Russian-funded disinformation campaigns targeting Canada. While these claims are contested, they suggest a willingness to amplify harmful narratives that erode trust in Canadian institutions. For a self-proclaimed patriot, this reeks of hypocrisy.
    3. General Lack of Professionalism
      From publicly mocking a Sports Illustrated model to spreading climate change conspiracies, Peterson’s behavior often resembles that of an internet troll rather than a respected academic. The governing body of Ontario PSychologists effectively told him he was a quack who couldn’t practice anymore because he was too mean and fucked in the head over his ego. He’s also been known to misrepresent scientific studies to bolster his arguments, such as cherry-picking data to downplay the impact of climate change. If character involves intellectual honesty, Peterson’s “Character” is shaky at best.

  1. General Lack of Professionalism
    From publicly mocking a Sports Illustrated model to spreading climate change conspiracies, Peterson’s behavior often resembles that of an internet troll rather than a respected academic. He’s also been known to misrepresent scientific studies to bolster his arguments, such as cherry-picking data to downplay the impact of climate change. Peterson’s “Character” is shaky at best if character involves intellectual honesty.

Pierre Poilievre: The Populist Without Principles

  1. Robocall Scandal
    During the 2011 federal election, Elections Canada censured Poilievre’s campaign for misleading robocalls that directed voters to the wrong polling stations. His refusal to take responsibility—instead blaming “a rogue operative”—highlights a pattern of deflection over accountability. It’s hard to champion character when dodging ownership of wrongdoing.
  2. Gaslighting Canadians
    Poilievre frequently employs gaslighting tactics to rewrite reality. For example, he’s blamed the Trudeau government for inflation caused mainly by global factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. By oversimplifying complex issues, he manipulates public perception to suit his narrative. He routinely paints “Safe Supply” sites as “Trudeau Drug Dens,” blames Schools for making kids gay, and keeps referring to Hitler as a socialist while calling Canada “a radical socialist dictatorship.” His recent comments on housing are another example. Poilievre has blamed municipal zoning laws and immigration policy for Canada’s housing crisis, ignoring his own party’s historical inaction/corruption with developers and provincial and municipal failures on affordable housing. It’s classic misdirection.
  3. Foreign Interference Allegations
    Allegations of foreign interference in Poilievre’s leadership bid—and his lack of national security vetting—raise serious concerns. Coupled with his alignment with far-right figures and platforms known for spreading disinformation, these connections warrant scrutiny. Who exactly is he working for? India? China? Russia? Both?

  1. Disdain for Canadian Values
    Poilievre often frames Canada as a failing state. He’s attacked the healthcare system, environmental policies, and even public servants, describing them as obstacles rather than assets. His language mirrors that of American far-right populists, prioritizing division over unity.

Their Views on Minorities and LGBTQ+ Communities

Both Peterson and Poilievre have troubling records:

  • Peterson has consistently dismissed gender identity issues as “trendy ideologies,” undermining the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. He’s claimed that efforts to support these communities represent “compelled speech” or “cultural Marxism.”
  • Poilievre, meanwhile, has sidestepped accountability on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric within his party, offering tepid responses instead of condemning bigotry outright. His alignment with socially conservative factions raises questions about his true stance.

Good character demands advocacy for justice and inclusivity. Their actions suggest otherwise.

Denigrating Canada

For two self-proclaimed patriots, Peterson and Poilievre spend an awful lot of time criticizing their country. Peterson has referred to Canada as a “woke nightmare,” blaming progressive policies for its supposed decline and his reason for his recent move to Jesusland (The US). Poilievre’s relentless negativity paints Canada as a dystopian wasteland, a strategy designed to erode public trust in government and institutions. He needed to be begged to congratulate Canada’s Olympians, who routinely call Canada “Broken,” “Crime and Drug Infested,” and “Dangerous Woke Dictatorship,” where people “hate to live.”

Rather than offering constructive criticism or solutions, their rhetoric often feels performative—a means to rally their bases rather than build a better country.

The Verdict: Hypocrisy, Thy Name Is Character

When Peterson and Poilievre talk about judging people by their character, it’s worth asking whether they’d pass their own test. From documented lies and gaslighting to divisive rhetoric and questionable allegiances, their actions consistently contradict the ideals they claim to champion. The answer is “No Fucking Way.”  If character is fate and ego is the enemy, Peterson and Poileivre have the character of narcissistic serial killers, not fair-minded, emotionally balanced politicians interested in “character,” for fucksakes…

So, to the stans who idolize these two: take a closer look. Judging someone by character means holding them accountable for their actions, not just words. And by that measure, Peterson and Poilievre have a lot to answer for.

Dean Blundell

Dean Blundell is a Canadian radio personality. Best known as a longtime morning host on CFNY-FM (The Edge) in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015 he was named the new morning host on sports radio station CJCL (Sportsnet 590 The Fan). Dean started his career in radio in 2001 and for nearly 20 years been entertaining the radio audience. Dean’s newest venture is the launch of his site and podcast which is gaining tremendous momentum across North America.

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