Poll shows Albertans hate the vax tax the most

Alberta had the closest race in the country — with 54% in favour of the tax and 46% opposed.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced the tax measures as he blamed the unvaccinated for a large increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization.

Legault said even though only 10% of the population is unvaccinated, they make up 50% of patients in intensive care beds.

“A health contribution will be charged to all adults that don’t want to get vaccinated. We are there now,” he told reporters.

“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%.

“I sense the frustration from Quebecers towards that minority that … is clogging our hospitals.

“There are consequences on our healthcare network and it’s not up to all Quebeckers to pay for this.”

He described the looming tax as a “significant” amount.

“As a test of the concept, it would appear that a majority (60%) of Canadians would support an initiative where those who choose to remain unvaccinated would be dealt a fine that would be administered as a surcharge on their taxes with the money used to financially support the healthcare system and its hospitals and their intensive care units (ICU’s),” said pollsters.

“No specific financial amount was used to sound out Canadians—just the concept.”

Those most likely to agree with the levy are from both British Columbia (64%) and Québec (63%), followed by those living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (61%), Ontario (58%), Atlantic Canada (57%), and Alberta (54%).

The minority (40%) who disagree with such a measure are most likely to be found in Alberta (46%), followed by those living in Atlantic Canada (43%), Ontario (42%), Manitoba/Saskatchewan (39%), Québec (37%), and British Columbia (36%).

The poll was taken January 10 of 1,510 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists. The poll is correct within +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.