According to a survey conducted by Restaurants Canada, Canadians are tipping their servers and waiters more compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The survey, which was distributed to 1,500 Canadians in April 2022, revealed that when dining at a table-service restaurant, 44% of respondents tipped a higher percentage of their bill compared to before COVID-19 pandemic.
While the standard tip for table service across Canada was around 15% before the pandemic, it has been closer to 20% in most provinces since 2020. In April 2022, the Canadians tipped an average of 17.6%, according to Restaurants Canada. . The survey was not distributed to the territories.
James Rilett, senior vice-president of Restaurants Canada, attributes the increase to a change in the public’s perception of service work.
“People realize or have now realized how hard restaurant employees work. They want to acknowledge that, especially now that you see there’s a labor shortage and staff are working a lot more,” he previously said Rilett to CTVNews Toronto.
Here’s how attitudes to the offerings compare across provinces in 2022, according to Restaurants Canada.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
In British Columbia, where the minimum wage is $15.65 an hour, the survey found that 45 percent of respondents said they tipped more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average diner in British Columbia contributes 17% of the bill.
ALBERTA
In Alberta, where the minimum wage is $15 an hour, the survey found that 34 percent of respondents said they tip more when dining out than they did before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average diner in Alberta contributes 17.5 per cent of the bill.
SASKATCHEWAN
In Saskatchewan, where the minimum wage is $11.81 an hour, the survey found that 43 percent of respondents said they tip more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average Saskatchewan diner contributes 14.9 per cent of the bill.
MANITOBA
In Manitoba, where the minimum wage is $11.95 an hour, the survey found that 43 percent of respondents said they tip more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. As of April 2022, the average Manitoba diner contributes 14.9 percent of the bill.
ONTARIO
In Ontario, where the minimum wage is $15 an hour, the survey found that 53 percent of respondents said they tip more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average Ontario diner contributes 18.9 per cent of the bill.
QUEBEC
In Quebec, where the minimum hourly wage for service industry workers is $11.40, the survey found that 39 percent of respondents said they tipped more when eating out than before the pandemic . In April 2022, the average Quebec diner contributes 17% of the bill.
NEW BRUNSWICK
In New Brunswick, where the minimum wage is $12.75 an hour, the survey found that 35 percent of respondents said they tipped more when dining out compared to before the pandemic. As of April 2022, the average New Brunswick diner contributes 16.3% of the bill.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
In Prince Edward Island, where the minimum wage is $13.70 an hour, the survey found that 35 percent of respondents said they tipped more when they dined out compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average Prince Edward Island diner contributes 16.3% of the bill.
NOVA SCOTIA
In Nova Scotia, where the minimum wage is $13.35 an hour, the survey found that 35 percent of respondents said they tip more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average diner in Nova Scotia tips 16.3 percent of the bill.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
In Newfoundland and Labrador, where the minimum wage is $13.20 an hour, the survey found 35 percent of respondents said they tip more at dinner compared to before the pandemic. In April 2022, the average diner in Newfoundland and Labrador contributes 16.3% of the bill.
With files from Hannah Alberga of CTV News Toronto