Quebec is planning to impose a “significant” tax on those who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 to offset their disproportionate cost to the health care system.

Premier François Legault made the announcement — a first in Canada — during a press conference on Tuesday. He said he was working on the tax with Finance Minister Eric Girard while also reviewing the measure’s legality.

“Unfortunately, there is still a small minority, about 10 per cent of the population, that refuses to get vaccinated,” Legault said. “I sense the frustration from Quebecers towards that minority that … is clogging our hospitals.”

“That is why I am announcing that we are currently working on a health contribution that will be charged to all Quebec adults who refuse to get vaccinated,” he continued, adding that people with medical exemptions would be excluded from the new tax.

Legault did not announce any details nor a date for the new tax, nor did he specify the amount except to say that it would be “significant.”

Premier pointed to the makeup of intensive-care hospitalizations in Quebec as the driver for the levy. Unvaccinated Quebeckers make up just 10 per cent of the province’s adult population but comprise about half of those admitted to ICU with the disease, he said.

“All adults in Quebec who don’t accept to go get at least a first dose in the next few weeks will have a bill to pay because there are consequences on our health system and its not up to all Quebecers to pay for that,” he added.

The measure, which is sure to be controversial both in the province and in Canada, was immediately criticized by opposition party Québec Solidaire as “radical” for “completely” forgetting vulnerable people such as the homeless or those suffering from severe mental health issues.

The new tax overshadowed the departure of Dr. Arruda, Quebec’s long-time Director of Public Health, who resigned on Monday after a tumultuous 22 months helping lead the province’s pandemic response. In the early days of the crisis, Dr. Arruda was a popular and colourful personality, whose gesticulations, vivid clothing and talk of Portuguese custard tarts helped reassure Quebeckers.

Last week, Quebec became the second province (after Saskatchewan) to extend its vaccine passport system to liquor and pot stores. Days later, Health Minister Christian Dubé announced on Twitter that appointments for first vaccine doses had quadrupled to 6,000.

Quebec is not the only jurisdiction to impose financial penalties on people who refuse to get vaccinated and don’t have a valid medical exemption. In December, Austria said people who flout the country’s vaccine mandate could be charged up to approximately $5,171 every three months starting this year. In Greece, the government this month mandated vaccines for everyone 60 and older, with people who refuse facing a $144 monthly fine.

In Italy, vaccines are compulsory for people over 50.

German MPs are expected to soon vote on making vaccination mandatory.

Based on reporting by The Globe and Mail and National Post

Eestlased Kanadas

TRENDING