Quebec, Canada, has decided to abandon a plan to tax unvaccinated people
Key Takeaways:
- On Tuesday, Quebec's contentious plan to levy a tax on residents who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 was scrapped.
- The province's premier made no mention of the ongoing trucker protests in Ottawa, Canada's capital.
According to the province's premier, Quebec's controversial strategy to impose a tax on residents who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 was rescinded on Tuesday.
Premier François Legault took a conciliatory tone in a press conference, attempting to smooth over the schisms created by the so-called "Vax Tax."
Legault said it was "time to rebuild bridges between Quebecers" and "to work together," speaking in French.
"It is my responsibility to try to bring Quebecers together and keep them united as a people." As per the report by Global News, "this is why we won't go ahead with the health contribution."
Legault first proposed the idea in January.
The province's premier made no mention of the ongoing trucker protests that have shut down Canada's capital, Ottawa.
However, since the arrival of the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa on Friday, his govt is not the only one to loosen restrictions. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are also considering loosening some restrictions.
The House of Commons unanimously passed resolutions condemning the protesters on Tuesday. A motion "condemning the display of racist flags in Ottawa this past weekend" was one of them, referring to instances of Nazi flags being carried by some participants. Some protesters were also accused of desecrating landmarks like the National War Memorial.
"Today in the House, Members of Parliament unanimously condemned the antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, homophobia, as well as transphobia which we've seen on display in Ottawa over the past number of days," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, referring to the motions. Let us continue to work together to make Canada more inclusive."
Two people linked to the protests were arrested by the Ottawa police force. On Saturday, it announced that Matthew Dorken of Ottawa had been charged with "mischief to property."
"At the time, he was not arrested to avoid a larger confrontation," police said.
It also charged Andre Lacasse, an Ottawa resident, with bringing a weapon to a public meeting. There were 13 active investigations, some "progress" in the investigation into the desecration of the War Monument, and fewer demonstrators, according to police.
On the other hand, the protesters have yet to announce any plans to leave the city and put an end to their agitation. They've raised nearly CAN$10 million through an online fundraiser to support the protests.