Quebec to tax unvaccinated residents to help curb hospitalizations

The Quebec government will begin taxing residents who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for non medical reasons, Quebec Premier François Legault announced on Tuesday.

While the details are still be ironing out, during a press conference Tuesday morning, Legault said that $50 to $100 is not significant.

According to Legault the tax would come into place in the next few weeks. People who have medical exemptions to vaccinations will not have to pay the new tax.

"The vaccine is the key to fight the virus, this is why we are looking at a health contribution for adults who refuse to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons," Legault stated. "Those who refuse to receive their first dose in the next coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution," he added.

Quebec Liberal leader Dominique Anglade quickly responded to the new measure via social media, "Today, François Legault chose to divide and create a diversion."

The new health contribution could be included in provincial tax filings but Legault wouldn't answer if that would be for the 2021 year, which will be filed in April of this year.

Legault said that the majority of Quebecers are asking for a consequence for the unvaccinated, "These people, they put a very important burden on our health-care network."

Social media was a buzz with the news, with those against the vaccination, and some for the vaccination coming out against the measure.

Legal experts expect that the new measure will be challenged in court.