Tariffs, Textbooks, and Teaching in Uncertain Times: Why Open Resources Matter More Than Ever

As we prepare for the Fall semester at KPU, we do so in a time of significant uncertainty. The past academic year has brought sweeping changes to B.C.’s post-secondary landscape, including legislative changes and institutional restructuring. At KPU, these shifts have resulted in difficult decisions—faculty layoffs, program changes, and a general sense of instability that has touched every corner of our institution. 
 
Amid these challenges, another issue is emerging that could further impact our students and our teaching: the potential imposition of tariffs on books imported from the United States. Canada’s post-secondary sector remains heavily reliant on U.S.-based publishers and educational technology platforms. From textbooks to digital tools like Pearson MyLab and McGraw-Hill Connect, many of the resources students use to complete quizzes, simulations, and assignments are tied to American companies. This dependence makes our institutions particularly vulnerable to the ripple effects of international trade policies, including potential tariffs. 

Global Meets Local: Tariffs and Textbook Costs 

While these tariffs haven’t yet taken effect, the possibility is real. If implemented, they could raise the cost of imported textbooks by 10–25%, according to recent reports from Langara College and UNBC. For students already navigating rising tuition, housing costs, and economic uncertainty, this added burden could be significant. 
 
Local booksellers and publishers are already preparing for the impact. As reported by CBC News, Canadian publishers are “cautiously optimistic” that books may be exempt from the proposed tariffs (as they are currently), but the uncertainty has left many scrambling to prepare for the worst-case scenario—a 25% tariff on the production cost of books. This could lead to increased retail prices, reduced availability, and delays in course material delivery. 

Zero Textbook Cost: Real Savings, Real Impact 

Fortunately, KPU has been a leader in addressing textbook affordability through our Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiative, which has been running since 2018. In the 2023–2024 academic year alone, the ZTC initiative saved students an estimated $3.35 million. 
 
To put that in perspective: The average textbook costs $112.55. A typical student takes 3–4 courses per semester, attends 2–3 semesters per year, and studies for 4–5 years. That adds up to a potential textbook cost of $2,700 to $6,750 for a student over the course of their degree. 
 
These savings are only possible because of the commitment of our faculty. In 2023–2024, 564 instructors taught their courses using ZTC methods, and an average 27% of all course sections offered had zero textbook costs. This is a powerful testament to the values of accessibility, equity, and innovation that define our teaching community. 

Student Voices: The Human Impact of ZTC 

The numbers tell one story—but the lived experiences of our students tell another. In a powerful reflection published in the KPU Student Voices Journal, one student shared how the Zero Textbook Cost initiative transformed their academic journey: 
 
“I remember the relief I felt when I saw the ZTC label next to my courses. It meant I could focus on learning, not on whether I could afford to participate. It meant I didn’t have to choose between groceries and textbooks.” 
 
— Excerpt from the 2023–2024 Student Writing Competition Winner 
 
This reflection is a reminder that textbook affordability isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a matter of student well-being, equity, and academic success. Every ZTC course is a step toward a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. 

Empowering Learning Through Openness  

As we face rising textbook costs and the looming possibility of tariffs, it’s important to consider not just the challenges but the opportunities. Open education offers a powerful, sustainable solution that aligns with KPU’s values and strategic direction. 

Faculty are already being asked to do more with less. In this context, the rising cost of textbooks is not just a student issue—it’s a teaching and learning issue. If students can’t afford course materials, their ability to engage meaningfully with course content is compromised. This affects learning outcomes, classroom dynamics, and ultimately, student success. 

Open educational resources (OER) are freely available, openly licensed materials that can be used, adapted, and shared to support teaching and learning. They remove financial barriers for students, increase flexibility for instructors, and promote inclusive, learner-centred pedagogy. 

At KPU, open education is more than a cost-saving measure—it’s a strategic commitment. It supports:

• Academic freedom by allowing instructors to tailor materials to their course outcomes and teaching style. 
• Equity and inclusion, by ensuring all students have access to the resources they need to succeed. 
• Sustainability, by reducing reliance on costly, disposable print materials. 
• Innovation, by empowering faculty to create and share resources that reflect their expertise and their students’ needs. 

KPU’s investment in open education is not just a response to affordability—it’s a strategic action that supports the university’s broader goals outlined in Vision 2026. In particular, OER and ZTC initiatives contribute to: 

• Goal 1: Delivering an extraordinary student experience by removing financial barriers and supporting inclusive, learner-centred pedagogy. 
• Goal 4: Advancing equity and inclusion, by ensuring that all students—regardless of background—have access to the materials they need to succeed. 
• Goal 9: Fostering a culture of sustainability, by reducing reliance on costly, disposable print materials and promoting the reuse and adaptation of digital content. 
• Goal 13: Practicing innovation in teaching and learning, by empowering faculty to create, adapt, and share resources that reflect their expertise and their students’ needs. 

Open education also supports academic freedom by allowing instructors to modify and tailor materials to suit their teaching style and course objectives. This flexibility aligns with KPU’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and learner-centred education. As more institutions across Canada engage in open education, KPU continues to lead by example, demonstrating that affordability and academic excellence can go hand in hand. 

By embracing open practices, we’re not only responding to immediate pressures—we’re building a more resilient, equitable, and forward-thinking learning environment for the future. 

Getting Started with Open Resources at KPU 

If you’re considering making the switch to open educational resources (OER) or exploring how to reduce textbook costs in your courses, you’re not alone—and you’re not on your own. 
 
Here are a few ways to begin: 

1. Browse the BCcampus Open Collection: This curated library of open textbooks and resources is a great starting point. You can search by subject, license type, and accessibility features: open.bccampus.ca
2. Ask a Librarian: KPU librarians are ready and willing to help you search for high-quality OER to replace commercial materials. Whether you’re looking for a full textbook, a chapter, or supplementary materials, they can help you find resources that align with your course outcomes.
3. Create or Adapt a Resource to Suit Your Needs: The Teaching & Learning Commons and the Library offers support for adopting, adapting, or even creating open resources though the Open Publishing Suite (OPUS). We can help you navigate licensing, accessibility, and integration into Moodle.
4. Join the Open Education Community of Practice: Our Community of Practice will resume in Fall 2025 and is a great way to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and explore open pedagogy. 

Final Thoughts 

This has been a year of disruption and difficult decisions, but it’s also a moment to reaffirm our commitment to accessible, student-centred education. By embracing open educational practices, we can help ensure that learning at KPU remains resilient, equitable, and responsive to the challenges of our time. 
 
Whether or not tariffs are imposed, the case for open education has never been stronger. Let’s continue to lead the way. 

References 

Dickson, C. (2025, March 1). Canadian publishing industry hopeful books will be exempt from U.S. tariffs. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canadian-publishing-industry-u-s-tariffs-books-1.7469667 

Empey, H. (2025, April 11). Impact of tariffs on textbooks. UNBC Geoffrey R. Weller Library. https://libguides.unbc.ca/blog/Impact-of-tariffs-on-textbooks 

Gupta, K. (2024, April 17). My experience with Zero Textbook Costs. KPU Student Voices, (1). https://journals.kpu.ca/index.php/kpu-sv/article/view/1899 

Petridis, A. (2024, December). Book publishing in Canada: Market research report (2014–2029). IBISWorld. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com/canada/industry/book-publishing/1233/ 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University. (n.d.). Vision 2026 [PDF]. https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Institutional%20Analysis%20and%20Planning/VISION%202026%20-%20April%2027%202023.pdf 

Statistics Canada. (2022, February 22). Book publishing industry, 2020. The Daily. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220222/dq220222b-eng.htm 

Tripp, L. (2025, February 11). Textbooks and tariffs. Langara Library. https://iweb.langara.ca/librarycentral/blog/2025/02/11/textbooks-and-tariffs/ 

This blog post was developed with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot, an AI tool powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model. The tool was used to support idea generation, structural organization, drafting, and formatting. All content was reviewed, edited, and finalized by the author to ensure accuracy and alignment with KPU’s institutional goals.