The Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Canada
By Maude Gauthier | Published on 30 Jan 2024
Table of Contents
As a new Canadian or a novice tip-giver, you may wonder about tipping in Canada in certain situations. In a recent survey on tipflation conducted by Hardbacon, more than 60% of Canadians said they felt manipulated by payment terminals into giving larger tips. Further, those requests come more often and at stores that didn’t seek out tips before. Now, businesses often build a tip into their services and more of them seek out these extras more openly.
In this ultimate guide to tipping in Canada, we’ll cover everything you need to know to about tipping etiquette. We’ll also ensure you don’t accidentally offend anyone while trying to show your generosity!
Why Should I Give Tips to Service Workers in Canada?
Canadians commonly tip workers as a way to show their appreciation for good service. While you can make a personal choice, Canadians have several reasons for giving tips to service workers. At times, it incentivizes better service, but in many professions, employees expect tips since they form a significant part of their wages.
Tipping in Canada to Get a Better Service
First, tips can serve as a direct feedback mechanism for service workers. When individuals receive tips for exceptional service, it reinforces their efforts and motivates them to provide excellent service to customers. By tipping generously, you acknowledge and reward the hard work and dedication of these individuals.
Tipping to Recognize the Value of Service
Service workers, such as waitstaff, bartenders, delivery drivers and hotel staff, often work long hours and perform physically demanding tasks. Tipping in Canada recognizes the value of their service beyond their base wages. It allows customers to express gratitude for the extra effort put in by these workers to ensure a positive experience.
Tipping to Support Livelihoods
In many professions, tips form a significant part of employees’ income. Of course, the minimum wage laws apply to all workers in Canada. Historically, certain industries, such as the hospitality sector, have had a lower minimum wage for employees who receive tips. However, only Quebec has a lower minimum wage for food and beverage servers. Tipped employees get paid $12.20, $3.05 less than minimum wage in other industries. Regardless, every dollar an employee takes home helps them pay their bills so every little bit helps. Here are the minimum salaries for employees across Canada:
| Province | Minimum wage |
| British Columbia | $16.75 |
| Alberta | $15.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 |
| Manitoba | $15.30 |
| Ontario | $16.55 |
| Quebec | $12.20 for tipped employees $15.25 for everyone else |
| New Brunswick | $14.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 |
| Yukon | $16.77 |
Tipping Etiquette in Various Settings
Knowing the appropriate amount to tip in various settings can confuse you, but why not show appreciation for good service? Follow these guidelines to hit the right mark:
Restaurants and Bars
When eating out, diners customarily leave a tip of 15% of their total bill, before tax. This shows their gratitude for the service provided by the server. However, if the service exceeded expectations, feel free to leave a larger tip. On the other hand, if the service disappointed you, you may tip less or speak to a manager about your experience.
Remember, servers often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the service industry.
Fast Food and Retail
In the realm of fast food restaurants and retail establishments, staff don’t typically expect tips. However, these types of businesses have begun to include tip options on the point-of-sale (POS) terminals, letting customers decide. Our 2024 survey about tipping habits revealed that 24% of Canadians now leave a tip in these establishments.
In fast food restaurants, where tipping rarely happens, some customers may choose to leave a little extra occasionally. This serves as a means of expressing appreciation for the service provided. Even a dollar or some loose change makes for a thoughtful gesture in these settings.
Similarly, in coffee shops, customers commonly round up the bill or leave a small amount as a token of appreciation. For example, if the total for a cup of coffee costs $3.50, leaving an additional $0.50 shows gratitude.
In bakeries, tips can be given to acknowledge the generosity of the staff. For instance, if you purchase six croissants and receive an extra one, customers may say ‘thanks’ through a tip. The amount given in such cases can vary. However, consider giving $1 or more, depending on the level of satisfaction and the value of the extra item received.
Delivery Services
What about when it comes to receiving deliveries through apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes? You’ll want to recognize the effort put into bringing your order to your doorstep. Whether you get food or other items, tipping serves as a meaningful way to show appreciation to the delivery person.
The most common tip for delivery apps is 10%. However, factor in external factors such as weather conditions and distance when determining your tip. If you live in a remote area, if the weather is particularly harsh or if your order is small, you may want to tip more generously.
In the end, tipping in Canada is also about brightening someone’s day. Whether you mark a special event, the holiday season or a routine delivery, even small tips go a long way. Ultimately, it makes the delivery person feel valued and appreciated for their work.
Uber Rides
Tipping Uber drivers acknowledges that you value their service. When Uber first started, we couldn’t tip the drivers. That may explain why 24% of people using Uber still don’t tip their drivers! When they do, they average tip is 10% according to our survey. Typically, that ranges from $1 to $2 for short rides to $5 for longer rides.
You can give tips after every ride, regardless of the total fare. Even small tips accumulate and make a difference for drivers facing expenses like gas, maintenance, taxes, insurance and mobile data. Tipping can help drivers afford these costs and maintain their vehicles properly, ensuring safety for passengers.
In B.C., Uber and other gig-based drivers now earn a minimum hourly wage of $20.10 – $3.35 more than the current general minimum wage. This applies to a gig worker’s “engaged time” between accepting an assignment and completing it.
Personal Care Services
When visiting hair salons or spas, plan to tip around 10% of your total bill. This demonstrates your appreciation for the hard work and expertise of the stylist or technician who provided your service. Make sure to tip the person who provided the service directly, rather than giving the money to the receptionist.
By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the personal care industry and their hard work.
Tipping During Special Events and Holidays
During special events and holidays, keep in mind the people who work hard to make these occasions memorable. Whether you attend a wedding, host a large party or receive flowers, tipping says ‘thank you’ to those who serve you.
Weddings and Large Parties
Weddings and other large events create stress for those who work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. Commonly, bartenders and waiters get tipped 15% of the total bill or by a flat per-person rate. However, check with the event planner or venue to determine if gratuities are included in the bill. If so, you may still want to consider offering a small tip to show your appreciation for exceptional service.
In addition to tipping service staff, you may also want to tip other vendors who provide services for your event. For example, you may tip a DJ or photographer at the end of the night to recognize their hard work.
Tipping in Hotels
When it comes to tipping in Canada’s hotels, it reflects good service by hotel employees. Bellhops, who assist with luggage, are typically tipped $1 to $2 per bag, with slightly more for oversized or challenging items. In small B&Bs where owners handle luggage, don’t plan to tip. However, if other employees provide bellhop services, please offer a tip.
Housekeeping staff often go unnoticed, so leave a daily tip of $2 to $5, depending on the job’s size. You can choose to leave a note with the money to express gratitude. For valet service, tip around $5, depending on the effort and care taken by the driver.
Tipping Tour Guides
If you go on a guided tour or outdoor activity like skiing or rafting, plan to tip your guide or instructor 10% of the tour value. This shows appreciation for their expertise and hard work in providing a safe and enjoyable experience. If the activity lasts longer than a day, you can adjust the tip accordingly or pay up at the end.
By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the tourism and outdoor recreation industry. They work hard and deserve a little extra from grateful clients.
How Much to Tip in Different Situations
Knowing how much to tip can be tricky, but it ranks as an important part of etiquette and good manners. Whether you dine out, stay in a hotel or get a massage, tipping in Canada says a lot about you. Follow these tips on how much to tip in different situations, as well as when to tip more or less.
Standard Tipping Percentages
As mentioned, a good rule of thumb says to aim for 15% of the total bill before tax. In Canada, the average tip is 15% in sit-down restaurants, and 10% for other establishments and services like hair salons and deliveries, according to Hardbacon’s 2024 survey on tipping habits. However, check for a specific suggested or expected amount, especially in places like hotels or spas.
Tipping for Exceptional Service
If you receive exceptional service in any field, leave a larger-than-normal tip. This could include anything from an exceptionally warm welcome at a hotel to a particularly engaging museum tour. In situations like these, it shows you value the hard work and effort that went into making your experience memorable.
Further, you may receive exceptional service from someone who doesn’t normally receive tips – like librarians. Surprise them with a nice gesture of a small tip as a way of saying thank you.
When Not to Tip or to Tip Less
While you’ll rarely encounter situations where tipping is discouraged, in some circumstances you don’t need to. For example, you don’t have to tip in fast food restaurants or stores that sell everyday items.
Similarly, if you’ve received poor service, feel free to tip less or not at all. However, speak to the manager or supervisor if you’ve had a bad experience. That way, it gives them the opportunity to address the issue and improve service in the future.
Navigating Unique Tipping Scenarios
You may not know when and how much to tip in different situations. These tips on navigating unique tipping scenarios may help you feel more confident when dining out or receiving services.
Tipping in Response to Subpar Service
In infrequent cases, you might justify adjusting the gratuity to less than 10%-15%. Bear in mind, factors such as overcooked meals, establishment ambiance or parking difficulties should not sway your tip. The tip should reflect the service quality.
Three situations might warrant a reduction in your tip:
- First, if a waiter or waitress personally offends or insults you, you can lower their tip. Tolerating verbal rudeness should never be an obligation for customers.
- Second, indifference by your server, by ignoring requests or disregarding order mistakes, signifies a lack of commitment to their role. This scenario qualifies for a lower tip.
- Lastly, any manifestation of discriminatory behavior by the server provides a valid reason for withholding the tip. In such instances, either involve a superior or depart from the establishment.
These tipping exceptions underscore the criticality of delivering service with respect and attention.
Tipping in Cash vs. Credit Card
We encourage you to carry small bills or change to tip with cash when possible. Cash tips feel more personal. Some establishments, such as food trucks or street vendors, may only accept cash. In these cases, cash tips are your only option.
Our survey revealed that 65% of Canadians left a tip solely because the payment terminal offered this option. While this may be good news for workers receiving the tip, you may end up paying more than expected. Respondents to our survey were particularly irritated by payment terminal tipping choices starting at more than 15% or applied to the after-tax amount.
FAQs About Tipping in Canada
Of course, you may choose to tip less if you receive poor service. First, consider the reasons for the poor service and if they fall within the control of your server. Naturally, always address any issues with the service provider or their manager.
Tipping in Canada has become part of the national culture where we express gratitude with a little cash. Therefore, a server could take offence if you don’t meet their expectations. Ideally, if you choose not to tip, do so for a specific reason and explain it to your server or their boss. Businesses can only improve if you give them feedback.
When traveling with a group, consider pooling your resources to leave a larger tip that reflects the total bill. This can sometimes make the process easier and ensure everyone contributes fairly.
Typically, plan to tip 15% based on the level of service. Give more if your server wows you. At this point, go for 18% to 20%.
Given all the staff shortages in this industry, adding a little more to workers’ incomes helps them retain them. Additionally, rising food prices have made it more expensive for restaurants to buy supplies. Since they cannot afford to pay higher wages, they ask customers to boost workers’ earnings via tips. However, it’s not rude or uncommon not to leave any tip at a fast food restaurant.
No, you always have the option to decline. Even point-of-sale machines have a button to say no. It may not stand out as prominently as the request for a 15% gratuity, but look for it.
Generally, in Canadian bars, the expected tip is the same as at restaurants, around 15% of your total bill. However, if you order a less expensive drink, make sure to tip the bartender at least $1 to $2 per drink. Giving anything less could potentially result in difficulties getting served your next drink.
You can expect to pay a 10% tip for hairdressers and barbers. Of course, if you entered a deep conversation with them and your haircut or styling took a lot of time, you may want to leave more.
Mathematically, based on the recommended percentage of 10%, you would tip $15. However, to run up a bill like this, you probably left with a colour or service that took significant time. Factor in those hours, since the stylist may have worked on other clients while you sat aside. Also, consider how this treatment made you feel afterward.
After a successful move, plan to add 10 to 20% of your final bill to tip a mover in Canada. This amount arises from the total amount stated on your invoice and gets divided among the crew. Of course, if things get broken or lost, you may withhold a tip.
In Canada, the most common tip for Uber drivers is 10% of the total bill. However, our survey revealed that 36.5% of Canadians leave 15% or more, while 24% of Canadians do not tip Uber drivers at all.
For each ride, opt to tip at least 10% of the final fare and be more generous for short rides. For instance, a good tip would be $2 on a $10 fare or $5-$7 on a $40 fare.
Tips for limo drivers usually add up to 15% or more if you want.
On average, Canadian customers give a 10% tip for deliveries. Adding a little more helps your delivery person pay their bills. In this case, no tips would be extremely rude.
This job takes a lot of knowledge, physical effort and pliability. That’s why you pay someone else to get into those nooks and crannies. To reward their attention to detail (no pun intended), tack on 10% more to the bill.
Most people tip their guides between $10 and $20, depending on how much they enjoyed the tour. In this case, tipping in Canada is optional, but appreciated.
In this app, customers set a tip as they place an order during checkout. Doordash drivers can not see the amount of the tip before completing the delivery. However, they can usually calculate the tip based on the order’s final price.
Typically, drop a $5 bill into the hand of your valet driver when picking up your car. After all, they took care of one of your valuable assets.
In general, leave $10 to $15 to thank your cleaner if they come weekly. After all, they clean up all those messes you leave behind.
Overall, 10% makes sense for a low-maintenance breed with short hair. However, move it up to a minimum of 15% for a dog whose coat gets matted. You can offer more if your groomer wows you.
You have two options here. First, slip your dog walker 10% more in cash per outing. Alternatively, you can give them anywhere from $100 to $500 as a bonus at the end of the year. Both say ‘thanks’ but on different timelines.
It is not rude or uncommon not to leave a tip at a bakery, unless they offer table service. Only 24% of Canadians actually tip in establishments without table service according to our survey. If you receive good service, or that cookie makes your day, feel free to toss your loose change into the tip jar. It sends a signal that you value the person serving you. If they don’t have a jar, then skip it.
It is not rude or uncommon not to leave a tip at a café, unless they offer table service. However, if you feel like slipping the staff some extra coin, go for it. In the big picture, this small gesture tells an employee that you acknowledge their good work.
Even if you don’t pay for your beverages, a person still takes the time and care to prepare them. Overall, give the bartender $1-$2 for a drink.
If you receive tips as part of your work, you must declare this income when you file your taxes. Add up the total you collect between January 1 and December 31 each year. Next, report the total amount received on line 10400 of your income tax return. The level of taxes you pay will depend on how much you earn during that year. If the CRA finds out you haven’t declared all your tips, you will have to pay what you owe, plus interest and possibly penalties.
