As a lawyer, he specialized in commercial litigation, and at the time prior to his election was a partner in Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP.

[2] Peterson first ran for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2011 federal election, losing to incumbent Lois Brown.

[3] Peterson was able to secure passage of his Private Members Motion M-206 to almost unanimous support in the House of Commons.

[4] The motion would force the Standing Committee on Health to study the level of fitness and physical activity of youth in Canada.

Peterson said at the time "that is crazy that the NDP would oppose, who votes against youth and trying to increase physical activity in Canada.