A Letter to the Department of Finance regarding

Notice of Intent to Impose Counter Tariffs

March 26, 2025

On March 13, 2025 the Government of Canada released a Notice of Intent to Impose Counter Tariffs which included a comment period inviting stakeholder feedback on the impact of the tariffs on Canadian institutions.

I am writing on behalf of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council/Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC) to express concerns over the proposal to apply counter tariffs on US-manufactured books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, and CDs. This proposal, if implemented, will have a devastating effect on the purchasing power of public libraries across Canada and has the potential to compromise our mission to provide access to the world’s information and ideas.

While Canadian public libraries prioritize the purchase of Canadian content and use of Canadian distributors, and strongly support Canadian authors and publishers, the reality is that the Canadian publishing industry relies heavily on US production and warehousing.  Much unique and popular content is produced by multinational publishers outside Canada, primarily in the US. A 25% tariff on US-manufactured materials would collectively cost Canadian libraries millions of dollars and represent at minimum a 10% reduction to budgets that are already under pressure from multiple formats, license restrictions on digital content, inflation and the high US dollar.   These costs are ultimately borne by Canadians, either through increased taxes or reduced access.

This reduction in purchasing power will decrease the breadth and depth of content that libraries make available at a time when free access to unbiased information sources and diverse points of view and ideas has never been more important. Public libraries act as a powerful force for democracy by guaranteeing and facilitating the free exchange of information at all levels of society. They also act as a vital content source for members of our communities who are unable to afford individual access to content. Inevitably, the impact of diminished library collections will be disproportionately felt by these users.

Historically, cultural goods have been exempt from tariffs. This precedent recognizes the critical role they play in supporting an informed and educated society. Given the impact such tariffs will have on public library customers, we ask the Department of Finance to reconsider the inclusion of these items in the counter-tariff measures.  Doing so will support public libraries in our mission to enable all Canadians to freely explore the ideas, culture, and knowledge that helps create informed, engaged citizens.

Mary Chevreau

Executive Director