Demographics shrinking Canadian schools

TORONTO, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Shifting demographics have led to the closure of at least 53 schools this year in all 10 provinces of Canada, the Globe and Mail reported Monday.

The report was published a day before students across the country are scheduled to return to classes and is of concern to Annie Kidder, executive director of the parent-led People for Education, the newspaper said.

"In 2009, we're going to see a big surge of school closings right across the country," Kidder said. "Everybody is dealing with declining enrollment, everybody is struggling with it."

The newspaper said the enrollment declines are a result of the aging population and one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

In British Columbia, 19 schools were shuttered this year, followed by Ontario with 13 closures and five in Quebec, the report said.

Alberta closed 11 schools this year, but opened 13 new ones, and the provincial government has plans to open 54 new schools though 2012, the report said.