B.C. not planning to tax unvaccinated adults like Quebec

British Columbia health officials have ruled out following Quebec’s lead by taxing adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says B.C. doesn’t need to take such drastic action, as our vaccination campaigns have been well supported.

“We are not planning a similar measure in B.C. Our vaccination campaigns have been exceptionally successful because all of the volunteers, the work by people doing the vaccinations, and because of the people in B.C. as well,” said Dix, who noted 90 per cent of adults over 18 have had two doses and 29 per cent have had booster shots.

In Quebec, about 10 per cent of adults are unvaccinated, but they account for 50 per cent of intensive care patients as COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to soar.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, agreed with the minister.

“We are taking the measures we feel are important. As we see now, I don’t forsee making it mandatory for vaccinations for everyone in the province,” Henry told a news conference on Tuesday.

Henry expects Omicron infections to continue to rise through January before levelling off, and for that reason, no immediate changes are expected to B.C.’s health restrictions.

Quebec’s fee will not apply to residents with a valid medical reason.

Premier Francois Legault said the amount of the penalty has not been determined yet, but it should be “significant” enough to convince the unvaccinated to get the shot.

It is the first time a government in Canada has announced a fee for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.