Broadcast Keep Cash Alive

EVERY store in Canada should be required to accept cash

– no exceptions






Hello everyone,

With more and more places (coffee shops, food trucks, even some big chains) going "card only" or "cashless preferred," I think it's time we push back harder. Cash isn't just some old-fashioned thing – it's essential for a fair, inclusive, and resilient society. Here's why I believe all stores should have to accept legal tender (cash) as a payment option, and why going fully cashless is a bad move for everyone.

1. It excludes people who can't or won't use digital payments
   Not everyone has a bank account, credit/debit card, or smartphone. In Canada, there are still unbanked or underbanked folks (immigrants, low-income, elderly, homeless, etc.). Cash is universal – no fees, no credit check, no app required. If a store refuses cash, they're basically saying "we don't serve you." That's discrimination by another name. Tourists, kids with allowance money, or anyone who just got tipped in cash also get shut out.
2. Privacy matters – cash is the last truly anonymous option
   Every card tap or e-transfer leaves a digital trail. Companies (and potentially governments) track what you buy, where, and when. Cash lets you buy a birthday gift, donate to a cause, or grab a snack without your entire purchase history being profiled and sold. In a world of data breaches and surveillance, that's huge.
3. Tech fails – cash doesn't
   Power outage? Internet down? Card machine glitch? Happens more than you think (especially in storms or rural areas). Cash works every time. During emergencies, blackouts, or even just a busy day when the POS system crashes, cash keeps the economy moving. Relying 100% on digital is risky for stores and customers alike.
4. No hidden fees for businesses or customers
   Credit/debit fees (1.5–3%+) get passed on to all of us in higher prices. Cash has zero transaction fees for merchants. Small businesses especially feel the pinch – why force them to pay big banks just to sell a coffee? Accepting cash can actually help keep prices lower.
5. It's still legal tender – but businesses can refuse it?
   In Canada, there's no federal law forcing private businesses to accept cash (unlike some U.S. cities/states that have banned cashless policies). But that doesn't make it right. Cash is issued by the Bank of Canada as legal tender for a reason. If we let stores cherry-pick payment methods, we're slowly eroding access to basic goods and services.

I'm not saying get rid of cards/contactless – they're convenient for many. But choice is key. No store should be allowed to exclude cash entirely, especially for essentials like food or groceries. We need legislation (like ideas inspired by Payment Choice Act discussions) to mandate cash acceptance (with reasonable exceptions maybe for tiny online-only sellers).

What do you think? Have you been turned away for trying to pay cash lately in Kitchener/Waterloo or elsewhere in Ontario? Seen more "card only" signs popping up? Does this bug anyone else, or am I overreacting?

Let's discuss – and maybe share this to get more eyes on it. We shouldn't let convenience for some become exclusion for others.

Thoughts?

Everyone needs to do their part to keep cash viable.

I agree wholeheartedly.

But what's the game plan here? This legislation would already be incredibly difficult to get passed. Plus, it wouldn't stop banks, credit card companies, and terminal/POS companies from pushing their products on people (both consumers and sellers), or end the inherent convenience of these technologies.

People are lazy; they carry cards and use digital terminals instead of cash for the same reason people turned to paper money rather than sacks of heavy coins. Consumers are increasingly broke; most use credit cards because they've become addicted to debt.

Legislation needs to change, and requiring the acceptance of cash would be a step in the right direction. But what good is that legal tender if no one's carrying it? I think that people also need to be educated early in life about the potential dangers of being dependent on cards. But when it comes to humans, convenience always wins out, especially with credit card ads everywhere and considering the staggering cost of living.

Now, where do I mail my $24 cash for voice4.ca premium?

InsidiousCynic said:

I agree wholeheartedly.

But what's the game plan here? This legislation would already be incredibly difficult to get passed. Plus, it wouldn't stop banks, credit card companies, and terminal/POS companies from pushing their products on people (both consumers and sellers), or end the inherent convenience of these technologies.

People are lazy; they carry cards and use digital terminals instead of cash for the same reason people turned to paper money rather than sacks of heavy coins. Consumers are increasingly broke; most use credit cards because they've become addicted to debt.

Legislation needs to change, and requiring the acceptance of cash would be a step in the right direction. But what good is that legal tender if no one's carrying it? I think that people also need to be educated early in life about the potential dangers of being dependent on cards. But when it comes to humans, convenience always wins out, especially with credit card ads everywhere and considering the staggering cost of living.

Now, where do I mail my $24 cash for voice4.ca premium?

Click to expand...

There's also the issue with all of the benefits that come with credit cards, you need decent credit score to get a mortgage or car loans with lower interest rates, and the only way to do that is by utilizing your credit card frequently. On top of this credit cards reward you with cash back and other incentives.

But I agree with your statement that people will always choose convenience over everything else, people don't understand the dangers of tying all of their money up with online banking systems because it isn't taught. But it will never be taught as the people who run the banking systems are the ones funding the people in the political positions to fund the change. The main problem is it's a never ending cycle and until people realize this, it will be very hard to make meaningful change

InsidiousCynic said:

Now, where do I mail my $24 cash for voice4.ca premium?

Click to expand...

I'll get you my mailing address

Here is a fact for everyone...

Credit card companies take 3-5% from the merchant every time a credit card transaction is made.

If we take the lowest number at 3% that means every 33.33 transactions the bank gets the entire amount.

So every time $100 is spent it takes 33 x that for the bank to own the entire balance. So the first time the merchant receives $97 and then it goes again and again until everything is owned by the credit card company.

If I hand you a $100 bill you can give it to anyone down the line and it remains a $100 bill.

No wonder the banks/credit card companies are so rich. Every 30 or so transactions they receive 100% of the funds.