Shortages are already evident in the province in some geographic areas and specific subject areas .
B.C. The following provides some of the statistics referred to in the brief with respect to the teacher supply and demand situation in British Columbia. Teaching Force Average retirement age for teachers in B.C. is 59. Almost 5,000 educators were at least 55 years of age in 1999-2000, the earliest age at which teachers can retire with a pension. Retirements will peak in the next 3 to 7 years between 2004 and 2008 creating widespread demand. 1 in 10 or 3,700 educators are likely to retire within 3 years.