Quebec health tax for unvaccinated residents prompts fierce Covid debate

• ‘Health contribution’ for those who do not want Covid vaccine
• Critics warn move could target vulnerable members of society

Quebec’s announcement that it will impose a healthcare tax on unvaccinated residents has prompted a fierce debate, as the province looks to salvage its crumbing healthcare system amid the latest wave of the coronavirus.

The Canadian province’s premier, François Legault, said on Tuesday that those who had chosen to remain unvaccinated would pay a “health contribution”, acknowledging growing friction in the province as the unvaccinated draw on a greater share of the scarce medical resources.