Quebec to impose a tax on people who are unvaccinated from COVID-19

Quebec is announcing it will impose a health tax on Quebecers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Quebec Premier François Legault made the announcement in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, as the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations continues to climb.

“A health contribution will be charged to all adults that don’t want to get vaccinated. We are there now,” he said.

Legault said he felt the ire of the vaccinated towards the unvaccinated, who he blamed for clogging up the province’s hospitals.

Only 10 per cent of the population is unvaccinated but they make up 50 per cent of patients in intensive care beds, according to the premier.

On Tuesday the province reported an increase of 188 patients with COVID-19 for a total of 2,742. Of those, 255 are in intensive care.

“Those who refuse to get the shot bring a burden to hospital staff and an important financial burden for the majority of Quebecers. It’s not  true that the 10 per cent of the population will bring harm to the 90 per cent.”

Legault announces Quebec is looking into an extra tax on the unvaccinated because of the extra burden they are having on the health system.

— Dan Spector (@danspector) January 11, 2022

Legault said there will be an exemption for those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The government is still working the amount that will have to be paid, but Legault said it would be “significant.”

“All Quebec adults who refuse in the coming weeks to at least get a first dose, will be getting a bill,” he said.

— More to come…

by Global News