A new regulation recently rolled out in Quebec is reshaping the way restaurant tips are calculated and presented — and experts in Toronto say Ontario should take notes. This shift could have ripple effects across Canada, where tipping culture has increasingly come under fire from frustrated consumers.
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What Changed in Quebec?
As of last week, Quebec now requires restaurants to calculate tips based on the pre-tax total of a bill. This change has a direct financial impact on how much customers tip — and how much servers take home.
Before the regulation:
A $50 meal with nearly 15% tax brought the total to $68.98. A 20% tip was applied after tax, costing the diner $11.50.
Now:
The 20% tip is applied before tax, lowering the tip to $10. The total bill becomes $67.49.
This subtle change brings more clarity to customers and puts an end to what some describe as “tipping on the tax” — a practice many saw as unfair or deceptive.
No More Tipping Pressure at the Table
The new law also instructs restaurants to display tip suggestions in a less aggressive, less manipulative way. That means less guilt-tripping via touchscreen tip prompts or defaulting to high percentages.
The Social Media Verdict: Has Tipping Culture Gone Too Far?
The regulation has struck a nerve, sparking strong reactions online. Canadians flocked to Reddit and other platforms, with many celebrating the move as long overdue.
“Nice, too bad these rules are not Canada-wide,” wrote one user.
“Tipping has gotten out of hand. Raise the minimum wage,” said another.
A growing number of diners are expressing fatigue with an out-of-control tipping culture, where gratuities often feel more mandatory than optional — even for minimal service.
H&R Block Survey: Canadians Are Tired of Over-Tipping
Recent research backs up public frustration. According to a national survey from H&R Block Canada:
- 90% of Canadians believe tipping culture is out of control.
- Many Canadians see 9% as the ideal tip — a far cry from the often-suggested 15–25%.
- One in four diners say they’ve felt guilt-tripped into tipping more than they wanted.
- 60% report tipping more now than they did a year ago.
Experts Weigh In: When Did Tipping Lose Its Way?
COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on Service Expectations
Daniel Tsai, a business professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, says tipping expectations skyrocketed after the pandemic. As service workers faced financial hardship, tipping became less about recognizing good service — and more about helping someone make ends meet.
“It used to be 15% as a norm. Now, 20%, 25%, even 30% isn’t unusual. Tip prompts often start at 18% minimum,” Tsai explains.
This shift, he argues, has made tipping feel more like a “tax on top of a tax” — especially with tipping prompts showing up in unexpected places like car rentals and fast food.
Comparing Global Norms: What Can Canada Learn?
Tsai also points out that many other countries — including Australia, China, and most of Europe — don’t rely on tipping at all. There, a service charge is often included, or wages are high enough that tips are truly optional.
Restaurant Owners Say the Burden Shouldn’t Fall on Customers
Jerome Robinson, owner of Toronto’s The Heartbreak Chef, echoes the sentiment that tipping has gone too far — and that it’s a way for businesses to sidestep paying livable wages.
“Everyone should be getting a living wage. Tips should be a bonus, not a necessity,” Robinson says.
He supports Quebec’s new regulation and believes it might even encourage customers to tip more generously — or at least more fairly — when they’re not overwhelmed by inflated totals or pushy tipping prompts.
Should Ontario Follow Quebec’s Lead?
A Growing Case for Policy Change
Both Tsai and Robinson agree that Ontario would benefit from adopting similar rules. A tip calculated before tax is more transparent and less burdensome on consumers.
Robinson adds that when tip prompts display more reasonable amounts, it may even boost customer goodwill and encourage better tips — provided the service deserves it.
“If you’re giving average service and expecting a 25% tip just for showing up, something’s wrong,” he says.
Could Doug Ford Take Action?
Tsai speculates that Premier Doug Ford’s government might have political interest in adopting such a regulation, particularly under his platform of protecting the “little guy.” After all, Quebec’s ruling party, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), is conservative — a potentially appealing precedent for Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives.
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The Fine Line Between Consumer Protection and Government Overreach
Still, Tsai warns that overregulation could backfire. While consumer protection is important, there’s also concern that too much control may micromanage business practices and reduce freedom for both companies and customers.
“It gives the feeling that Big Brother is watching,” he says. “Some customers ignore tip prompts anyway — at the end of the day, tipping should be about choice.”
The Future of Tipping in Canada: A Cultural Shift in Progress
Quebec’s tipping reform is more than just a technical tweak — it’s a bold statement in a broader debate about fair pay, customer rights, and the role of gratuities in modern dining.
Will Ontario — or the rest of Canada — be next? If public sentiment and expert voices are any indication, tipping culture in Canada may be on the verge of a major shake-up.