About two-thirds of Canadians report being asked to tip more — and more often — according to a poll done by the Angus Reid Institute. .Four-fifths of Canadians say too many places are asking for tips these days, including at least three-quarters across all regions and demographics, according to the poll. The poll said 13% believe customer service has improved as tips have increased. .The poll went on to say 23% of Canadians left a tip of less than 15% when they last ate at a restaurant. It said 21% left a tip of 20% or more when they last dined out — more than double the rate of those who said so in 2016. .There were 59% of Canadians who said they support a service-included model with higher base wages for employees. One-third want the current system with tipping part of the experience, while one-tenth have no preference. .This is different from 2016 when people favoured the current system, with 46% saying so. Two-fifths said they wanted a service-included model, and 13% were unsure. .The poll said people who worked in a job which received tips (58%) are about as likely as those who have not (59%) to support a move to a service-included model. .Past Conservative and Bloc Quebecois voters are divided as to whether they prefer the current system or to move away from tipping. The majorities of people who voted Liberal (73%) and NDP (76%) in 2021 would like to see the end of tipping. .The poll continued by saying British Columbians were the most likely to report tip creep (74%) and tipflation (73%). It added Atlantic Canadians are the least likely to say they are being prompted for an increased tip (42%). .More than four-fifths of Canadians who want to do away with tipping said they believe the current system allows employers to underpay their employees. Half of those who hope gratuities stay agree. .Dalhousie University researchers said in 2021 tipping is a relic of oppressive colonialism. .READ MORE: Dalhousie survey: Tipping has ‘oppressive’ roots.“While relatedness in tipping provides us with social rewards, it does so within the realm of servitude with a troubling history of racial oppression,” said Dalhousie researchers. .“Competence, or perceiving the impact of tipping on those receiving tips, relies upon assumed power of those with money and the assumption of the other being in need.”.The poll was conducted online from January 31 to February 2 with a representative randomized sample of 1,610 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. It has a margin of error of +/- two percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
