Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium is an independent bookstore opened in 1983 by Jim Deva and Bruce Smyth. In 1990 they challenged Canada Customs repeated decisions to block their shipments as “obscene materials” as a violation of free expression and equal rights. These materials, nearly all dealing with homosexuality, were routinely seized at the border. The Supreme Court ruled that the bookstore was being unfairly targeted.
This listing was uploaded by Amber Collins, Special Projects Assistant at the National Trust for Canada, on Monday July 22, 2026.
Please confirm details at the site’s own website before planning your visit. Are you the owner/operator of this historic place? Would you like to make changes to this listing? Please contact us at historicplacesday@nationaltrustcanada.ca
Photo Credits: Loose Lips Magazine
