Canadian Youth Question Tipping Culture Amid Rising Costs

EDMONTON — As the cost of living continues to rise in Canada, a growing number of young people are expressing concerns about the tipping culture that permeates various services. This sentiment is exemplified by 22-year-old university student Ren Alva, who found the request for a tip at a U-pick berry farm surprising, given that he and his friends had done all the picking themselves. “They didn’t have to do anything. I don’t know who the money’s going to,” Alva remarked.

Similar views were echoed by Jacob Burris, a 24-year-old from Saint John, New Brunswick, who believes tips should reflect the quality of service provided. “Tips should not be given for someone simply doing their job,” he stated. This perspective is gaining traction among younger Canadians, particularly as restaurant gratuities and living expenses increase.

A recent survey conducted by H&R Block Canada revealed that a majority of Canadians aged 18 to 34 feel that tipping practices have escalated to unreasonable levels. The online survey, which included 1,790 respondents from across the nation on February 12-13, 2025, found that many individuals are encountering tipping requests in more locations than ever before, from convenience stores to physiotherapy clinics.

Changing Attitudes Towards Gratuity

Despite the prevalence of tipping prompts, Yannick Lemay, a tax expert at H&R Block, observed that many people continue to tip out of a sense of obligation. “Even though they might not feel comfortable doing so, they still do it because they might feel obligated to,” he explained. This dynamic leaves many young Canadians feeling conflicted.

Among these is Aditi Roy, a student at Toronto Metropolitan University, who grew up in a culture where tipping is uncommon. “It’s ridiculous to have to tip up to 20 percent,” she commented. Roy noted that in places like China and Hong Kong, a small service fee is included in the bill, eliminating the need for additional gratuity. She advocates for a shift away from tipping in Canada, suggesting that a service fee model could provide a solution.

Conversely, some individuals, like Milly Squires, who spent six years as a waitress, maintain that tipping is essential to support the broader hospitality workforce. “Some restaurants follow a tip pooling system,” Squires explained. In this model, servers share a portion of their tips with other staff members, ensuring that all contributors to the dining experience are compensated fairly.

Calls for Systemic Change

Burris has proposed that Canada consider adopting a tipping system similar to those in Europe, where service fees are more common. He believes this could alleviate the pressure on both consumers and service workers. Roy echoed this sentiment, arguing for a more comprehensive approach to compensation for service workers. “Pay these people what they deserve, so they don’t have to scour for tips,” she emphasized.

The rising costs of living juxtaposed with stagnant wages create a challenging economic environment for many Canadians. As discussions around tipping continue, it becomes increasingly clear that a reevaluation of how service workers are compensated may be necessary.

This report highlights the shifting attitudes of Canadian youth towards tipping culture and the need for systemic changes to ensure fair compensation for all service workers. The dialogue surrounding this issue is likely to evolve as economic pressures persist.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 23, 2025.