Canadian Independent Bookstore Day returns to Vancouver Saturday
Posted April 25, 2025 11:55 am.
Saturday marks Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide effort that supports and celebrates the role bookstores play in local communities.
In Vancouver, the day is an opportunity to support at least a dozen community shops.
Laura Carter, executive director of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association, says each store is doing something a little bit different.
“A lot of bookstores are doing contests, doing promotions, having local authors come in, either to act as celebrity booksellers or to sign books, chat with customers — it’s really just a chance to bring community together, to celebrate with one another,” Carter explained.
Earlier this month, Canadian booksellers spoke out, saying U.S. tariffs on books could have a potentially destabilizing effect on the industry, especially for independent shops.
Carter says even without tariffs on books, shops are already facing affordability challenges for their many other products. But she remains optimistic because she says bookstores offer more than just retail.
“They bring authors in to meet community members, and they create that kind of third space for people to come connect with their friends in the neighbourhood, new friends in the neighbourhood, and to find books to discover.”
Countrywide, there are nearly 200 stores taking part. To find one near you, you can visit indiebookstores.ca
