The Canadian province of Quebec will impose a health tax on citizens who have not been vaccinated against covid-19. Quebec’s premier Francois announced the plan yesterday.
Quebec will be Canada’s first province to introduce financial penalties for the un-jabbed. According to the BBC:
Only about 12.8% of Quebec residents are not vaccinated, but they make up nearly half of all hospital cases. According to federal data, just over 85% of Quebec residents had received at least one vaccine dose by 1 January.
Premier Francois Legault said during a news conference that people who have not received their first dose of vaccine will have to pay a “contribution”. The fee has not yet been decided, but will be “significant”, he said.
“I think right now it’s a question of fairness for the 90% of the population who made some sacrifices,” Mr Legault said. “I think we owe them this kind of measure.”
Last week, the province announced that it would require proof of vaccination to shop in government cannabis and liquor stores. Quebec isn’t the first region to levy fines on the un-jabbed.
From the end of the month, Greek citizens who have refused a jab will be fined €100 each and every month they remain unvaccinated. The un-jabbed in Singapore must pay for any covid-19 related treatment.
