AFFAIRS OF STATE: The latest on tariffs
In a departure from a long tradition of honouring books as powerful vehicles of cultural sharing to be traded freely, Government is now looking at adding books to the list of imports from the US that will be subject to retaliatory tariffs. As you can imagine, we're concerned.
Why we're worried
Summed up by the Canadian Independent Booksellers' Association (CIBA) in its statement, "the proposed 25% tariff would have devastating consequences for Canadian readers, our businesses and our cultural landscape:
Summed up by the Canadian Independent Booksellers' Association (CIBA) in its statement, "the proposed 25% tariff would have devastating consequences for Canadian readers, our businesses and our cultural landscape:
- Tariffs on Canadian books: The majority of books sold in Canadian bookstores, including books by Canadian authors, are published by multinational publishers whose Canadian divisions rely on U.S. printers and warehouses for distribution. This onerous tariff therefore would unfairly apply to books not only from U.S. authors but many Canadian and international authors.
- Economic Harm: Canadian bookstores serve as cultural hubs in our communities and all operate on thin margins. Unlike interchangeable consumer goods we know that readers will not likely substitute a book arriving via the U.S. for a Canadian printed and warehoused book. At this time there is nowhere near the capacity in Canada to handle all of our printing and warehousing. This tariff threatens the survival of bookstores and the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians.
- Access to Knowledge: Books are fundamental tools for education, research, and intellectual development. This tariff would create an unnecessary barrier to information and learning for all Canadians.
- Cultural impoverishment: By making books less affordable, we risk limiting Canadians’ exposure to diverse perspectives, stories, and ideas that foster empathy and broaden worldviews.
- Affordability Crisis: At a time when many Canadians are struggling with rising costs, books represent one of the most accessible and enduring forms of entertainment and enrichment. This tariff would place them out of reach for many families. Consumers will already be asked to absorb the impact of tariffs on books published in the U.S. as the U.S. printers buy their paper from Canada and paper will now carry a U.S. tariff.
We note that despite all the other tariffs on Canadian products, the US has not targeted books. A tariff would expose Canada's publishers to potential retaliation.
Finally, the impact of the proposed book tariff would fall disproportionately on Canadian booksellers, authors, and publishers, while the US publishing industry would likely be very little affected, which rather misses the point of retaliatory trade barriers.
Finally, the impact of the proposed book tariff would fall disproportionately on Canadian booksellers, authors, and publishers, while the US publishing industry would likely be very little affected, which rather misses the point of retaliatory trade barriers.
What are we doing?
We are communicating with other booksellers and publishers, and gathering all the information we can about what we can expect if these tariffs go forward. This week, we will be attending an online meeting with CIBA to get as much clarity as possible. We will communicate with you about how we expect the changes to affect you.
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This time last year we were bleeding cash as folks were just beginning to find out about us, the slow rainy season kept folks at home, and the construction nearby drove the hardier pedestrians away from our block. Six months ago we were consistently pulling about 30% less than our monthly "nut," the amount needed to pay both cost of goods sold and overhead. But in January and February, which are reliably lousy months for most retailers, we narrowed the gap to 10%! That's a major improvement!
Wednesday, 2 April, 5:30pm: Métis poet, scholar, and teacher Lorri Neilsen Glenn presents The Old Moon In Her Arms 
Saturday, 5 April, 11-2pm: Distro Disco Spring Donation Drive & Book Fair!
What can you do?
Click here to submit a comment up to 750 words as part of the consultation process.
Email a longer comment to consultations@fin.gc.ca.
Email your MP--here's a directory!
Click here to submit a comment up to 750 words as part of the consultation process.
Email a longer comment to consultations@fin.gc.ca.
Email your MP--here's a directory!
For reference, here are the tariff codes in question: 4902.90.00, 4901.99.00, 4903.00.00, 4905.20.00, 4901.91.00, 4901.10.00.
And try to stick with us bookstores, whatever comes. The only way we get through this is with your support.
THE STATE OF THE SHOP
...is better! Not perfect, still a lot of growing to do, but better.
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We still need to see about 2 more people per day, every day, to fully meet current expenses. That nagging 10% shortfall will pile up if we don't contain it. And of course, any tariffs will probably mean needing to see more people each day, and our rent will go up in July. We still are on precarious ground, and far from being able to buy the books or hire the people we'd like to bring in. Quaking in our boots is just our normal, around here. But to have both January and February go so much better than most of last year is really encouraging, and it wouldn't have been possible without you lovely beings and all the new friends you have sent our way.
EVENTS IN YOUR BOOKSTORE (Masks required)
Sunday, 23 March, 3-6pm: Queer Fibre & Needle Crafters
Chill, casual drop-in time to sit with other LGBTQ2SIA+ folk and work on your projects, admire each other's creations, swap stories, sip tea, whatever. It's unprogrammed and very mellow.
Monday, 31 March, 5:30-7:30pm: All-Trans Silent Reading Time
On Trans Day of Visibility, we invite Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, Agender, 2-Spirit, and otherwise gender-nonconforming folks who are looking for a way to be visible in a quiet setting to take over the bookstore. Comfy chairs await! Cis folks, we love you and you are welcome to attend as the guest of a trans guest.
Wednesday, 2 April, 5:30pm: Métis poet, scholar, and teacher Lorri Neilsen Glenn presents The Old Moon In Her Arms A powerful, lyrical collection of essays from the award-winning author of Following the River, exploring the pivotal moments in her life, and how art and nature have shaped her.Like both memory and the moon, what's written here aims to shed what light it can, bringing it home to now. How does a woman compose a life? The Old Moon in Her Arms is a hybrid book of fragments, pivotal moments and images in the phases of a woman's life, turning points rendered in Lorri Neilsen Glenn's lyrical prose. Neilsen Glenn's artistry weaves personal history, philosophy, pop culture, and contemporary thought to examine moments and people who've inhabited her life. "Over time and circumstance," she says, "haven't we all been various?" Guiding her exploration are the Cree concept of wahkohtowin, the kinship in all of creation, and the elliptical path of the moon. This hybrid collection of singular moments celebrates connection, wonder and endless curiosity.
We'll host the lovely folks from DD as they gather in survival supplies for folks living outside in our area. We're setting aside 10% of our sales from the day for them, as well! Please click here for a list of items particularly needed.
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Poems that show us a world in which precedent for gender transition is everywhere if you know how to look.
"I delete my history / badly," writes Estlin McPhee in this searing, witty, lyrical, and elegiac debut collection of poems about intersections of trans identity, magic, myth, family, and religion. The line refers at once to a young person's browser data that reveals an interest in gender transition; an adult's efforts to reconcile complicated relationships; a culture's campaign to erase queerness and transness from the historical record; and a religion's attempt to pretend that its own particular brand of miraculous transformation is distinct from the kind found in folktales or real life. Populated by transmasculine werewolves, homoerotic Jesuses, adolescent epiphanies, dutiful sisters, boy bands, witches, mothers who speak in tongues, and nonnas who cross the sea, this is a book in which relational and narrative continuity exists, paradoxically, as a series of ruptures with the known.
Tuesday, 15 April, 7-8:30pm: Matsui de Roo hosts Unspeakable Grief for Queer, Trans, Nonbinary, and Two-Spirit Support Workers
NOTE: Registration is required for this event. The bookstore will be closed to the public for this event, which offers space for confidential conversations. Click here to register via the facilitator's website.
As healthcare, frontline, or other support workers, it's not uncommon for us to experience the death of a client, colleague, or community member—but it can often feel like we have nowhere to turn. Our work environments aren’t typically built to support these types of losses. Client confidentiality carries beyond death, and workplace norms may make it hard to open up about our emotions. And we may be active in small communities, where our personal and professional lives overlap. But it’s important to allow ourselves space to grieve. This free, in-person grief circle will be a facilitated space where you will be encouraged to acknowledge your feelings, and participate in a healing ritual together.
NOTE: Registration is required for this event. The bookstore will be closed to the public for this event, which offers space for confidential conversations. Click here to register via the facilitator's website.
As healthcare, frontline, or other support workers, it's not uncommon for us to experience the death of a client, colleague, or community member—but it can often feel like we have nowhere to turn. Our work environments aren’t typically built to support these types of losses. Client confidentiality carries beyond death, and workplace norms may make it hard to open up about our emotions. And we may be active in small communities, where our personal and professional lives overlap. But it’s important to allow ourselves space to grieve. This free, in-person grief circle will be a facilitated space where you will be encouraged to acknowledge your feelings, and participate in a healing ritual together.
Friday, 25 April, 6pm: the little gallery presents Disabled & Disorderly Art Opening and Open Mic Poetry
Featuring art by Adishi Gupta, Goldbard, Bug Cru, and Grae Salisbury! Poetry mic is open to all experience levels and folks are invited to share up to 3 poems/10 minutes of work.
Featuring art by Adishi Gupta, Goldbard, Bug Cru, and Grae Salisbury! Poetry mic is open to all experience levels and folks are invited to share up to 3 poems/10 minutes of work.
Monday, 21 April, 7-9pm: Non-monogamy Discussion Group
A peer-to-peer discussion group facilitated by Maddi & RJ. New topics every month! For more details or to contact the facilitators, visit Non-monogamy Discussion Group Vancouver on Facebook.
Saturday, 26 April: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day!
It's the return of the annual celebration of bookstores and their place in the fabric of our communities! Follow our socials for updates on a nationwide contest, plus local opportunities to win fun things, pick up schweet swag, and indulge your love of books and bookstores. Be sure to visit that day to meet our author and maker guests. And if you're planning a bookstore crawl or other bookish activity, let us know so we can make you welcome with special offers.
Sunday, 27 April, 3pm: ONLINE LAUNCH! Estlin McPhee presents In Your Nature with guests Leah Horlick and River Halen
Poems that show us a world in which precedent for gender transition is everywhere if you know how to look."I delete my history / badly," writes Estlin McPhee in this searing, witty, lyrical, and elegiac debut collection of poems about intersections of trans identity, magic, myth, family, and religion. The line refers at once to a young person's browser data that reveals an interest in gender transition; an adult's efforts to reconcile complicated relationships; a culture's campaign to erase queerness and transness from the historical record; and a religion's attempt to pretend that its own particular brand of miraculous transformation is distinct from the kind found in folktales or real life. Populated by transmasculine werewolves, homoerotic Jesuses, adolescent epiphanies, dutiful sisters, boy bands, witches, mothers who speak in tongues, and nonnas who cross the sea, this is a book in which relational and narrative continuity exists, paradoxically, as a series of ruptures with the known.
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