School closures are a sad reality for English schools, especially in Montreal.
Since its inception on July 1, 1998, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) has closed 17 schools, one of which was unilaterally taken away by the Ministry of Education and given to the Commission scolaire de Montreal. One school, General Vanier Elementary School in St. Leonard, has opened in that time.
The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) has closed seven facilities since 1999. In 2006 alone, 12 elementary schools merging into six. The school board has seen some growth in that time too; most of it west of the Island of Montreal.
