Little Sister's Book Store Featured on Canada Post Stamp
Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp honouring Vancouver's Little Sister’s Book, Clothing and Intimate Wellness Store as part of its Places of Pride series.
For forty years, the Davie Street shop has served as a community hub and a defender of charter rights. Its legacy is now recorded in a new design that collectors and community members can purchase.
A Tribute to Pioneers
Designed by Kelly Small with illustrations by Tim Singleton, the stamp features portraits of three figures who worked for the community:
Jim Deva & Bruce Smyth: The founders who opened Little Sister’s in 1983.
Janine Fuller: The bookstore's long-time manager and anti-censorship advocate.
Little Sister: The store cat from whom the shop takes its name.
"For the past four decades, Little Sister’s has been a place where the queer community can embrace their identity, find community and celebrate the beauty of being queer," says Parmjot Gill, the owner of Little Sister's. "This stamp recognizes the courage and commitment that Jim, Bruce, and Janine had in pursuing a decade-long legal battle that resulted in a landmark Supreme Court ruling protecting the charter rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Canada."
A History of Resilience
When Little Sister’s opened in 1983, it was the only queer bookstore in Western Canada. During the AIDS crisis, it became a resource centre where people could find information, support, and acceptance.
The bookstore engaged in a legal battle with Canada Customs, which seized literature at the border on the grounds of obscenity. Little Sister's challenged this censorship, taking their case to the Supreme Court of Canada and securing a ruling on charter rights. During these years, the store was also targeted by three bombings, but it remained open.
Following the death of former owner Don Wilson, the shop was acquired in April 2026 by Parmjot Gill, an impact investor and Queer Business BC board chair, ensuring the store's operations continue.
Preserving "Places of Pride"
This release marks the second and final set in Canada Post's Places of Pride series, which highlights spaces and events that shaped 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada. The 2026 series includes:
Little Sister’s (Vancouver)
Metamorphosis Festival (Saskatoon)
The 519 (Toronto)
The Turret (Halifax)
How to Buy
Stamp booklets are available now. You can purchase them in-store at Little Sister's on Davie Street, or find them at Canada Post locations across the country.