Quebec Government Aborts Tax on the Unvaccinated to Avoid Division

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, centre, speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, Feb. 1, 2022, at the legislature in Quebec City. Legault is flanked by Luc Boileau, Quebec interim director of National Public Health, left, and Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube. Francois Legault says he is abandoning his threat to tax the unvaccinated. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on Feb. 1 that the province will abandon its plan to tax the unvaccinated population, a policy he says has divided Quebecers.

“My role is to try to bring Quebeckers together to stay united as a people. This is why we won’t go ahead with the health contribution. I understand that this divides Quebeckers and right now we need to build bridges to listen to each other. Quebeckers must remain united,” Legault said in a press conference in Quebec City.