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Is tipping at restaurants mandated by law in Canada? Can a restaurant manager call the police if I chose not to tip?

I am not interested in any ethical or employment laws grounds. Just want to know if, as a customer, it is legal to pay the amount shown on the bill and leave.

I'm asking after reading this question on money.SE and related comments.

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    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about law and as such would be better suited to the Law stackexchange.
    – user29788
    Dec 14, 2019 at 23:08
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    just because something might be on topic on another site doesn't mean it's off topic here.
    – Kate Gregory
    Dec 14, 2019 at 23:45
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    Other travellers, who have the same problem, will first look here since it is about different customs in different countries.
    – Mark Johnson
    Dec 15, 2019 at 3:59
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    @Moo in most countries it is custom to tip peaple for good service (not mandatory or regulated by law) ; in some countries employees rely on tips because the employer assumes they will be tipped (also not regulated by law), for which income tax must be paid (which is regulated by law, but does not interest the customer) ; the OP (traveler) is askibg how this custom is delt with. And here is where others searching for that answer will first look how this custom is delt with. Paying the bill is a law question ; things not on the bill are not.
    – Mark Johnson
    Dec 15, 2019 at 4:31
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    I feel this question is on topic here, as locals will/should know the local laws but people traveling will not and this is a topic people traveling will run into.
    – Willeke ♦
    Dec 15, 2019 at 8:07

1 Answer 1

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Can a restaurant manager call the police if I chose not to tip?

No, once you have paid your bill you have fulfilled your legal requirement to the restaurant

Whether it is a good idea not to tip is another question.

You will find very many questions here on this topic that is specific to the United States and Canada, that are asked by Europeans, Australians and New Zealanders.

Many answers explain the reasons why, but more importantly how, when, where and how much one should give.

The first question given below contains a Tips Statistics which gives a nice overview for those unfamiliar with the topic.

The second question gives a perspective from the viewpoint of someone who works in the service industry in one answer, but also answers about 'gratuity'.

Both questions, taken togeather, should give enough information about tipping in the United States and Canada.

Sources:

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  • There is an exception, which is if a tip (Or service charge or gratuity etc.) Is advertised in the menu or elsewhere as part of the charge then it can be compulsory.
    – DJClayworth
    Dec 16, 2019 at 3:25

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