Canada (East) Business etiquette and meeting customs

America/Toronto

What kind of meeting?

Strict punctuality

Arrive on time or a few minutes early — being late makes a poor impression.

Meeting Culture

Recommended duration30-60 min

Communication StylePolite and direct

Greeting StyleFirm handshake

Daily Schedule

Work Hours09:00 – 17:00

Breakfast07:00 – 08:00

Lunch12:00 – 13:00

Dinner18:00 – 19:00

Sleep23:00 – 07:00

Tips for Meetings

For the kind of meeting you chose above.

Dress Code

Business formal or smart casual

Tone

Professional, polite, consensus-seeking

·Offer greetings in both English and French if your counterpart is in Quebec
·Decision-making tends to be collaborative
·Written follow-ups in both languages are appreciated specifically in Quebec, not Ontario or the rest of the Eastern time zone

General Tips

·Punctuality is important
·If your counterpart is in Quebec specifically, bilingual (French/English) greetings are appreciated — this varies by province, not the whole Eastern time zone
·Consensus-driven decision making
·Multicultural awareness is valued

Cultural Notes

Meeting someone from Canada (East)?

Cultural information is for general guidance only and may not reflect every individual's practices.

See something inaccurate? Let us know