A 25% tariff on books imported from the U.S. is set to take effect on April 2, and Canadian booksellers are fighting back. In a rare alliance, Laura Carter (CIBA) and Heather Reisman (Indigo) have urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to exempt books, warning of price hikes that could hurt readers, bookstores, and the publishing industry.
Most books sold in Canada—many by Canadian authors—are printed and distributed through U.S. warehouses. With limited printing capacity at home, booksellers fear the tariff will make literature less accessible and threaten business survival. Independent shops like Massy Books and Pulpfiction Books have warned customers about rising costs, while industry leaders worry about long-term trade implications.
Advocates argue that books shouldn’t be treated like other taxable goods and are calling on the government to act before it’s too late.
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