Canadian Politics Redux

Trudeau called the unvaccinated racist, and I was talking to an unvaccinated person who said “Trudeau can call me racist until Trudeau turns black in the face.”

when liberals talk racism, we should listen…they KNOW.

maybe your cult leader should check with stats canada and see who is not getting vaccinated?  

Just like Trudeau’s idiot health minister urging provinces to make vaccines mandatory … more proof that the dumb are leading.  Lol.

good luck with that…

I'm curious what everyone here's opinion is on the proposed Quebec taxing of the unvaccinated. 

HughFreakingDillon said:

Parksy said:

I'm curious what everyone here's opinion is on the proposed Quebec taxing of the unvaccinated. 

I'm on the fence about it, to be honest. I need to hear arguments from people as to the perceived benefit and the possible "freedom of choice" this may violate. and the slippery slope argument that anti-vaxxers are certainly going to make about people with other "chosen" conditions like obesity, if they should start getting taxed or not. 

Agreed.  I'm not overly familiar with Quebec's handling of things but if they're taking any notes from Fordsy.. they'll make a decision like this without addressing concerns of those opposed. 

I honestly see people's argument against this. I'm on the opinion that we (society) should do all we can to put this pandemic behind us up to and including and from what the experts are saying is THE best tool in the tool bag... vaccination.  

People on the net at least who point to other people's lifestyle choices... make a point, but not a very good one in comparison IMO. 

I'm personally diabetic and I smoke weed like a chimney. (Used to I should say) These are admittedly poor lifestyle choices and while diabetes runs in my family.. I'll be the first to admit I don't eat as well as I should. (I'm trying to make changes... here's for a healthier 2022!)   

If someone were to point towards me as an example of someone who perhaps should also be given a health tax, I would say... ok.. but compared to this pandemic, show me the shot or shots in the arm I can take to prevent that tax and I'll be there in a heartbeat.  To me the vaccine is just so much easier to prevent COVID than me changing my lifestyle and family history. 

(Feel free to challenge me, I won't get offended... here to hear other people's opinions.)

oftenreading said:

I need more information first as to what the plan would be. In general I'm opposed to measures that place more of a financial burden on people seeking health care, but it's not clear that this is what is being talked about. If it in any way penalizes people for seeking health care then it's likely to be counterproductive and discriminatory for those of low income. I suppose there could be ways that it could be structured that didn't have this effect but I would need to see the nitty gritty of the proposal. 

Practicalities aside, there are interesting ethical questions there but I don't see it as a "slippery slope", since we already tax some unhealthy behaviours highly (cigarettes, alcohol, etc.). We don't do it evenly though, so that's a problem. 

Agreed.  I think  Trudeau came out and basically said the same thing....  need to know more about this plan. 

To Oftenreading's point...  I would hope that this 'tax' would only be for any kind of COVID related health issues. 

All in all it's a very strange thing to announce.  When we consider how long it generally takes laws and legal decisions to be made in Canada... it's puzzling how a provincial government can... seemingly out of the blue... be like "k, we're putting in a health tax for the unvaxxed. 

Parksy said:

I'm curious what everyone here's opinion is on the proposed Quebec taxing of the unvaccinated. 

I love it.

I hope all provinces follow Quebec's lead in some form or another.

Should have been done as soon as vaccines were available to all.

Rather than punitive measures, increased incentives make more sense and might not cause as much consternation. For my health insurance (in US) by being a non smoker, I get a pretty good chunk of money off my premiums. Could they do the same thing up there, by taking out less in taxes from you for your health costs if you are vaccinated?   

Meltdown99 said:

Yes.  Anything is possible?  But this is Canada… Quebec is unique in that it has its own tax agency.  So it  easier to share info between agencies…so yes they could offer incentives.  It raises ethical questions, likely will be challenged in court..

I live in Ontario and everything tax wise is run through revenue Canada..I’d be surprised if they’d ever agree to handle someone’s medical info…they have had a few security breaches during the pandemic.  Also Ontario has ruled out mandatory vaccines or vaxx tax…

If this pandemic and our dumb government has shown me anything... it's that nothing is ever 'ruled out.'