(Ottawa) Conservative leader Erin O’Toole considers that the health contribution proposed by the Legault government for people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 is “unfair” and that it undermines the universality of the Canadian healthcare system.
Posted at 3:52 p.m.
“I oppose this approach, personally. I prefer an educational approach. We must encourage the unvaccinated, not target them with a tax or a strict measure like that, ”explained the leader of the official opposition at a press conference on Monday.
He said he understood the ambient “frustration” in this fifth wave of the pandemic, but he saw no justification for the adoption of a measure which, according to him, contravened the principle of universality of the health system in Canada.
“Our healthcare system is universal. It’s for everyone. And in my opinion, it is unfair to target a small number of Canadians, ”pleaded Erin O’Toole. However, he sees no reason for the federal government to get involved or to punish Quebec by withholding a portion of health transfer payments.
“I will always respect the areas of jurisdiction and the decisions of the provinces,” he assured.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau exercised caution when asked to react to the project of his counterpart François Legault. Saying he was in agreement with the adoption of “strong measures” by the provinces, he nevertheless noted that he wanted to respect the Canada Health Act.
In an intervention on CTV, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest expressed serious doubts about possible sanctions. He did so based on his own experience while in government.
” I have been there. When I was Premier of Quebec, we did things that, in some cases, were perhaps outside the law. The federal government will not budge. They’re going to let this pass,” he said during the interview that aired on Sunday.
“Do they want to be on the side – and this is the current dilemma for governments – to be on the side or be seen to be on the anti-vaccine side? Intervene directly in the Quebec health system? It would frankly be a very bad decision on their part, ”he continued.
Prime Minister François Legault caused a surprise by announcing last Tuesday that his government wanted to hit the non-vaccinated with a “health contribution” that he wants “substantial”. He undertook to discuss it with the opposition parties in the National Assembly.