French Quebec to impose health tax on unvaccinated Canadians

The Canadian province of Quebec has announced that it will be imposing a health tax on the unvaccinated.

The Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday, “We are working on a health contribution for all the adults who are refusing to get vaccinated” because they are a “financial burden for all Quebecois.”

According to the New York Post, only 10% of Quebec residents are unvaccinated. However, unvaccinated people currently make up more than half of the people in Quebec’s intensive care units. The government has not yet settled on an amount, but Legault said it would be “significant.” However, those who have not gotten the Covid vaccine for medical reasons will be exempt from the tax. 

“If you look at what’s happening in other countries or other states, everyone is trying to find the solution,” he said. “…Right now, these people, they put a very important burden on our health care network. And I think it’s normal the majority of the population is asking that there be a consequence.”

According to CBS News, Quebec has been hit the hardest out of all of the Canadian provinces and territories. In the last seven days there have been nearly 93,000 officially reported cases and 247 deaths.

Legault continued, saying, “I know the situation is tough, but we can get through this together.” Quebec has also mandated remote work as companies are able, canceled sports and extracurricular activities in schools, closed secondary schools, limited store and restaurant capacities, and limited private gatherings. A curfew has been initiated from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.