After a minute of browbeating the unvaccinated, Premier Jason Kenney condemned Quebec’s decision to fine people based on their medical status, calling the move “un-Canadian.”
“Well, I’m very concerned by the federal government supporting the principle of imposing taxes on people based on their health condition or choices. That violates the fundamental principle of universality in Canada’s healthcare system, which is one of the guarantees of the Canada health act,” Kenney said in response to a question posed during a news conference.
Alberta will not be following Quebec’s lead on taxing unvaccinated people.
To do so would be un-Canadian.
🎥 Watch my answer: pic.twitter.com/7mb8A3g6o4
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 17, 2022
“So, I am very concerned about the announcement that the government of Quebec intends in principle to pursue a tax of some kind, a special health levy or charge on the unvaccinated individuals.”
Kenney goes on, morally guilting the unvaccinated for their choices and blaming them for undue stresses on the healthcare system, which is more likely a result of laying off unvaccinated healthcare workers — ironically, also for their health status.
“… but ultimately, we, as a society, through universal public healthcare, agreed to accept the consequences of people’s choices,” Kenney continues, finally getting back to the point. “We may not like it, but it’s a moral obligation that we have not to pick and choose who gets care based on their financial ability.
“Because the implication of this policy is that low-income unvaccinated people would be denied care,” Kenney says, making a good point, “which is, I think, inhumane and unethical and certainly un-Canadian.”
Indeed, like so many other taxes, a tax on the unvaccinated will most greatly impact those within the group suffering financially. It will not be sufficient as a means of twisting the arms of unvaccinated people earning six figures or more. They can just pay the fine. Instead, the government is clearly trying to pressure the working class more than anyone else — as is the norm.
Kenney continues, claiming that it would be discriminatory towards the downtrodden or marginalized in society. He also brings up the glaringly obvious counterexample to a fine on the unvaccinated if they’re supposedly to blame for increased stress on the healthcare system:
“Does anybody who is overweight, do we put everybody on a weight scale and determine based on their weight that they have to pay extra to access the healthcare system?”
