In early January 2022 the government of Quebec, Canada, has announced that a new tax has been imposed onto unvaccinated people along with restrictions to entrances in public places. After the restrictions, vaccination booking for first doses went from 1,500 to 6,000. Once the tax was announced, the booking went up to 7000. The tax is still being questioned because it might be considered unlawful under the Canadian Constitution.

85.5% of the population of Quebec have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Around 845,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, causing 3,270 to be hospitalized. “We are working on a health contribution for all the adults who are refusing to get vaccinated,” Quebec Premier Francois Legault said in a conference.

Hospitals have been crowded by the unvaccinated. All of the COVID-19 cases are costing the hospitals about 50% of their space. Most of the patients that are hospitalized for having COVID-19 have reported to have not been vaccinated. “Those who refuse to get the shot bring a financial burden to hospital staff and Quebecers. The 10% of the population can’t burden the 90%,” Legault added. Officials confirmed that a hospital COVID-19 case is $23,000 and for intensive care, the cost increases to about $50,000.

Other privileges are being revoked to unvaccinated Canadians. Many are being denied service in planes and trains according to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Vaccination cards are required to eat in restaurants, go to public sporting events, and entering a gym.