Quebec to Impose “Significant” Financial Penalty on Unvaccinated Residents

Quebec Premier François Legault announced during a Tuesday news conference that the province will apply a “significant” financial penalty to residents who refuse the COVID-19 jab for non-medical reasons.

The premier stated the measure will act as a “health-care contribution,” though the exact price amount remains to be disclosed.

After meetings with the finance minister and legal advisers, Legault contends $50 or $100 isn’t steep enough.

Watch this clip from Legault’s press conference below:

Here is Premier Legault in English on the upcoming "health contribution" that any adult Quebecer who is not vaccinated will have to pay.

Legault says the amount will be significant and details will be announced in the coming weeks #cdnpoli https://t.co/MztMudjpza pic.twitter.com/NlC5SNGvJu

— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) January 11, 2022

Quebec to impose 'significant' financial penalty against people who refuse to get vaccinated https://t.co/glyXZdO5iQ pic.twitter.com/lu28FnNBht

— CTV News (@CTVNews) January 11, 2022

Wow, Quebec is actually going to fine those who are unvaccinated by choicehttps://t.co/Pum1PxCZgX

— Penny Daflos (@PennyDaflos) January 11, 2022

If you were wondering where Canada is ranking at in the whole insanity chart… https://t.co/jB0sNP1Le5

— Julia Song (@realjuliasong) January 11, 2022

Just in from @jkenney office: “Alberta has not considered and is not considering bringing in any kind of non-compliance vaccine tax.“https://t.co/ET7rMs25KL

— Tyson Fedor (@TysonFedorTV) January 11, 2022

CTV News had the report:

The province is consulting with the finance minister and its legal advisers about implementing the measure, but Legault already said $50 or $100 “is not significant” enough for him.

The tax would apply to all adults in Quebec who refuse to get their first dose of the vaccine “in the next few weeks,” according to the premier. People who have medical exemptions to vaccination will not have to pay the tax.

The unvaccinated “will have a bill to pay because there are consequences on our health-care network and it’s not up to all Quebecers to pay for this,” the premier said.

“It’s a question of equity because right now, these people, they put a very important burden on our health-care network. And I think it’s normal that the majority of the population is asking that there be a consequence,” he continued.

“And yes, we will continue to look at spreading the use of the vaccine passport, but I think we have to go further.”

ABC News added:

He said about 10% of adults in Quebec are unvaccinated, but they represent about 50% of intensive care patients.

“Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution,” Legault said.

“The majority are asking that there be consequences. … It’s a question of fairness for the 90% of the population that have made some sacrifices. We owe them.”

Quebec previously announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Officials said that will come off as soon as things improve.

As we previously reported, Quebec imposed the Orwellian curfew despite the province’s high COVID-19 inoculation rate.