You know what really pisses me off? When servers act like they're being screwed. They would say how fast food burger employees or Starbucks baristas make more than them but do less work (which I call bullshit - take a look at any Starbucks of McDonald's during rush times and you know they do no less than a waiter bringing over cups and plates). Worse is when they make it seem like Ontario has the same situation as the states where servers make like $3 an hour.
As a student, I know a lot of servers and all of them would always make a sob story about how little they make when in fact, they would much rather get tips than have the same minimum wage as a regular employee. They only use the "well, the government rips us off so we need the tips to balance things out" routine to mask how not unfortunate they actually are. Think about it: assuming a server works 8 hours a night, 5 days/nights a week, serving 20 tables per shift, each totaling $40 before tax (a really conservative number but hear me out), that server will make $616 ($9.90 x 8 + $40 x 20 x 5.5%). And that's if everyone is being an "asshole" by only tipping 10% before tax and STILL tipping out the kitchen staff at 4.5%. If a server earns regular minimum wage and no tips based on that same work schedule, they would make $456 a week. That's enough for a MP session a week.
And we all know $40 per table is really low. A couple who orders one appetizer to share, two entrees, and two drinks will need to fork out at LEAST $60 pre-tax even at a typical family restaurant like Kelseys or Swiss Chalet. Business meals will be more than that. Groups of 4 will be more than that. Hell even dates with an escort will probably be more than that. If you consistently server 60 tables a night, you're making $726 a week based on cheap tippers. If everyone tips the standard 15%, they're making $1026 a week. It's $1296 a week if servers con us into tipping 20%. That's over $67,000 a year and much of that will be undeclared and tax free. Get a few tables a night that run bills over $100 and you're making over $70K. To be a fucking server!!! I know finance and legal professionals who make less than that. Somehow we've enabled a culture where something like this is EXPECTED. A server requires zero higher education but they demand to make double the amount on what some entry level university grad positions are making. Just think about that.
By the way, tips are only supposed to be applied to restaurants that sell booze. Do you tip at a place like Demetres, Cora, or Sunset Grill? Because those guys are supposed to make a regular minimum wage from their employer since they're establishment does not serve alcohol. If you tip these guys, why not tip the guy who bags your meal at McDonald's or the guy who made your custom latte at Starbucks?
The whole concept behind tipping in Canada is fucked.