Quebec will require adults who decline to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to pay for their decision.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on Tuesday that those who cannot get the jab due to medical concerns will be exempt from having to pay, according to Reuters.
The outlet reported that he said the provincial finance ministry is deciding on a “significant” figure that unvaccinated residents will be mandated to pay, and that the number will not be lower than C$100 ($79.50).
“Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution,” Legault said, according to the Associated Press.
“The vaccine is the key to fight the virus. This is why we’re looking for a health contribution for adults who refuse to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons,” he said, according to Reuters.
The AP reported that this marks the first instance a government in Canada has announced a monetary penalty for individuals who eschew COVID-19 vaccination.
The Canadian province of Quebec already has a curfew in place that runs from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., though there are various exceptions allowed for it.
Quebec will soon enlarge the scope of vaccine passport requirements to require vaccination proof for people to visit government-operated liquor and cannabis stores.