Tipping Point: Quebec Consumer Rights Bill to Regulate How Merchants Can Ask for Tips

Tipping Point: Quebec Consumer Rights Bill to Regulate How Merchants Can Ask for Tips
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette is congratulated by Quebec Premier Francois Legault (R) after he tabled legislation to protect consumers, at the legislature in Quebec City, on Sept. 12, 2024. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot
The Canadian Press
Updated:
0:00

Quebec wants to curb excessive tipping.

Simon Jolin-Barrette, minister responsible for consumer protection, has tabled a bill to force merchants to calculate tips based on the price before tax.

That means on a restaurant bill of $100, suggested tips would be calculated based on $100, not on $114.98 after provincial and federal sales taxes are added.

The bill would also increase the rebate offered to consumers when the price of an item at the cash register is higher than the shelf price, to $15 from $10.

And it would force grocery stores offering a discounted price for several items to clearly list the unit price as well.

Businesses would also have to indicate whether taxes will be added to the price of food products.