Kathleen Wynne and her band of radical-left cronies think they have a handle on what constitutes human identity and also what should constitute human morality. And I think that that's being pushed in a manner in schools that's completely reprehensible. It's not education, in my estimation. It's a form of indoctrination.

Jordan Peterson’s quote, “Kathleen Wynne and her band of radical-left cronies think they have a handle on what constitutes human identity and also what should constitute human morality. And I think that that's being pushed in a manner in schools that's completely reprehensible. It's not education, in my estimation. It's a form of indoctrination,” expresses his strong opposition to certain progressive educational policies. He criticizes the attempt to define identity and morality through government influence, arguing that these teachings in schools go beyond education and move into indoctrination.

The meaning of this quote lies in the distinction Peterson makes between education and indoctrination. For him, education should provide students with tools for critical thinking, exploration, and independent judgment. However, when schools impose rigid ideological views about identity and morality, he sees it as an attempt to condition students rather than allow them to freely think. In his view, such practices undermine intellectual freedom and personal responsibility.

The origin of this statement comes from Peterson’s broader critiques of Canadian politics and cultural debates, particularly during the tenure of Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Premier from 2013 to 2018. Wynne’s government promoted progressive reforms in education, including curriculum changes around gender, sexuality, and inclusivity. Peterson, a psychology professor and public intellectual, became a vocal critic of these policies, framing them as ideological impositions that conflicted with traditional understandings of education.

Ultimately, Peterson’s words reflect his wider concern about the role of government and ideology in shaping young minds. By labeling it indoctrination, he warns against using schools as vehicles for political or cultural agendas, arguing instead for an education system that fosters genuine inquiry and independent thought about identity and morality.