Summer vacation is almost over, which means parents are heading to malls and office supply stores to get the kids ready to head back to class.

Two separate studies have found that Canadians will be spending more on back to school supplies this year, although the amount varies greatly between the two surveys.

New numbers from Visa show the average family will spend around $677 on back to school supplies – about $200 more than last year.  However, a survey conducted by BMO has found that people will spend about $360, an increase of $40 over 2011 spending.

The breakdown between provinces also swung dramatically between the polls.  Visa put Ontario in the top spot with an average of $757, followed by Alberta with $727 and B.C. with $640.  At the bottom of the list – Quebec, spending an average of $519.

Meanwhile the numbers from BMO showed Quebecers forking over the most cash, with those in the Prairies planning to spend the least.