Ford won’t follow Québec’s proposed ‘no vax tax’: ‘We aren’t going down that road’

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario won’t follow Québec’s lead and fine people who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Ford made the comment during a photo opportunity at a vaccine clinic at the Toronto Zoo.

“We’re taking a different approach. We aren’t going down that road,” the Premier said.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said earlier Wednesday that Québec’s plan strikes him as punitive, and his province hasn’t considered the measure.

“We have not made the recommendation to the government, ever, throughout this pandemic. It’s not one that we would bring forward. It does in my mind seem punitive,” said Moore.

“We have always been supportive of adults making informed decisions for vaccination and have tried to increase availability and accessibility.”

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says the provincial government won't enact or implement fines for the unvaccinated, calling the measure "punitive." #onted

— LC (@LucasCasaletto) January 12, 2022

Ontario introduced a proof-of-vaccination system back in September that offers an exemption for Ontarians who cannot receive the shot for medical reasons. In settings that require proof of vaccination, the government says individuals must present an enhanced vaccine certificate with a valid QR code.

Québec Premier François Legault announced Tuesday that he plans to make the unvaccinated pay a “significant” financial penalty.

He says those who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 occupy a disproportionate number of hospital beds and should be required to pay an additional contribution to the healthcare system.

RELATED: Majority of Canadians polled support healthcare fines for unvaccinated, survey finds

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the keyword when it comes to vaccine mandates is “benevolence.” He says the language and action need to be there to protect people and that no one is talking about forcibly vaccinating people in Canada.

Like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Duclos is waiting for more details on Québec’s plan to fine unvaccinated residents.

“We all agree that the principles of the healthcare act, in particular the principle of universality of access, we all agree at the provincial and federal level they [vaccine mandates] should be enforced,” Duclos said. “Third, we must use all the tools in our toolbox to ensure that everyone is protected against the disease.”

Trudeau says he’s interested in the Québec government’s proposal to tax people who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19, but says he’s waiting for more details before he comments.

The Prime Minister says Québec has reassured the federal government its plan won’t violate the principles of the Canada Health Act, which regulates the country’s provincially run universal healthcare systems.