Most restaurants in Canada leaving tipping up to the discretion of the customer, unless they are serving a large group. But a restaurant in the western city of Calgary is experimenting with a mandatory 16 per cent service charge which will be distributed among all the restaurant workers.
The issue comes up periodically because in many provinces the minimum wage is lower for employees who receive tips. There is also some unease about whether only the wait staff should receive the extra money or whether it should be shared with kitchen staff.
But what do Canadians think?
A public opinion survey by the Angus Reid Institute suggests that 40 per cent of Canadians would like to move to a service-included model for restaurants. But 46 per cent would like to keep things the way they are. About 13 per cent have no preference.
The survey also suggests most Canadians tip between 10 and 20 per cent. Roughly equal numbers leave above and below 15 per cent.
While some customers argue they would be loath to give up their ability to tip according to the quality of service they receive, the survey suggests only 9 per cent actually do that often.
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