Anaphylaxis law and policies by province and territory
In 2005, the Province of Ontario passed Sabrina’s Law. This landmark legislation — the first of its kind in the world — created specific, legally-required steps to help keep children at risk for anaphylaxis safe at school. Sabrina’s Law has made school safer for countless students with life-threatening allergies and has served, not only as a model for legislation in Canada, but around the world.
Since Sabrina’s Law was passed in Ontario, other provincial and territorial governments have enacted laws, policies, or guidelines for school boards in their jurisdictions.
- Law or Policy?
- Provincial or territorial laws provide a legal requirement for school boards. Guidelines or policies provide a roadmap for school boards, which they follow at their discretion.
Here is a look at the laws, guidelines, and policies by province and territory. Last updated: August 2026
Alberta
Schools
On January 1, 2020, the Protection of Students with Life-Threatening Allergies Act came into effect, with requirements for how schools can support students with life-threatening allergies at school. Such requirements include establishing policies and risk reduction plans. Information on the act and resources to support its implementation are available on the government website.
British Columbia
Schools
In September 2007, the BC Ministry of Education signed into law the Anaphylaxis Protection Order, which requires all BC school districts to have anaphylaxis policies and procedures. These school policies for managing anaphylaxis must be developed in accordance with the Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework (September 2007). Find more information on the government website.
Manitoba
Schools
In 2009, Bill 232 (The Public Schools Amendment Act – Anaphylaxis Policies) was passed to legally formalize a school board’s obligation to develop an anaphylaxis policy. The Bill also gives the Minister of Education and Training the discretionary authority to make regulations in this area.
Child Care Facilities
In 2010, Manitoba passed the Child Care Safety Charter – the first legislation of its kind in Canada – which mandates safety plans and codes of conduct in child care facilities.
New Brunswick
Schools
The New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Policy 704: Health Support Services, has a specific section for allergies and anaphylaxis: Section 6.6.1. A student with allergy and risk of anaphylaxis must have an Extreme Allergy Management and Emergency Plan (Appendix D) completed. A copy of the policy can be downloaded from the government website.
Early Learning and Child Care Facilities
The New Brunswick’s Operator Manual has a specific Allergy Management and Emergency Plan for children with allergies and risk of anaphylaxis, which must be completed if they are attending an early learning and child care facility.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Schools
In 2015, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released its Guidelines for Anaphylaxis Management in Schools. In 2023, the Administration of Medications, Medical Interventions and Chronic Care Policy was released; it contains information on anaphylaxis/life-threatening Allergies. Find more information on the NLSchools website.
Child Care Facilities
In 2023, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released its Child Care Policy and Standards Manual which lists requirements pertaining to allergies, per the Child Care Regulations under the Child Care Act. Find more information on the government website.
Northwest Territories
Schools
In the Northwest Territories, individual District Education Authorities and District Education Councils are responsible for establishing local policies regarding the administration of medication to students, and procedures related to severe allergies, medication administration, and emergency response. Schools work with regional Health and Social Services Authorities to support training and guidance related to the administration of epinephrine devices.
Nova Scotia
Schools
The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, through its School Health Partnership with Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health, identifies students who have specific health-care needs, including anaphylaxis, and develops personalized health plans for care that are housed in the provincial online student information system.
Nunavut
Schools
Nunavut has an anaphylaxis response protocol for schools in its Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Crisis Response Manual developed by the Department of Education. Additional information is available on the government website.
Ontario
Schools
In 2005, the Ontario government passed Sabrina’s Law: An Act to protect anaphylactic pupils, which affected all publicly funded schools in the province. The first legislation of its kind in Canada, this law requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy. It also requires that principals develop individual anaphylaxis emergency plans for pupils at risk.
Sabrina’s Law is named for Sabrina Shannon, an inspirational teenager who tragically suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction during her first year of high school in 2003.
In 2018, the Ministry of Education introduced Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 161: Supporting children and students with prevalent medical conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and/or epilepsy) in schools. PPM 161 builds on the work school boards are already doing to support students who are at risk of anaphylaxis in the school setting, as required under Sabrina’s Law.
Child Care Facilities
The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) requires that all licensed child care operators in Ontario have an anaphylaxis policy in place in each child care centre operated by the licensee and each location where home child care (license) is provided within a regulated child care setting. For more information regarding the requirements, refer to Ontario Regulation 137/15. References: Regulation 137/15, Sabrina’s Law
Prince Edward Island
Schools
In 2020, the Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning issued a directive on Procedures for Dealing with Life Threatening Allergies. It is included in the Information Handbook on Anaphylaxis, Sixth Edition.
Quebec
Schools and Child Care Facilities
Each school board/school service centre in Quebec must develop and updates its own food allergy policy. However, there is currently no provincial legislation mandating anaphylaxis protocols in schools.
Daycares admitting children with food allergies must adhere to certain mandatory protocols and procedures developed by the province to prevent and treat anaphylaxis.
Saskatchewan
Schools
The Saskatchewan government released a policy statement on supporting K-12 students with potentially life-threatening medical conditions at school; this statement complements the previously issued policy advisory from the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. Effective May 2020, the policy statement requires school divisions and the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises to develop, update and implement procedures related to dealing with students who have medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy. Information on the policy statement is available on the government website.
Yukon
Schools
In 2005, the Yukon Department of Education issued its “Administration of Medication to Students” policy to support public school students with severe and life-threatening illnesses and allergies. The policy was revised in 2006 and 2013. Yukon Education also implemented an Anaphylaxis Policy in 2012, updated in 2015, to clarify roles and responsibilities in managing emergencies in public schools. Reference: www.education.gov.yk.ca
Some information adapted from Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings, 3rd edition revised
Sabrina’s LawSabrina’s Law, enacted in 2005, has made school safer for countless students with life-threatening allergies and has served, not only as a model for legislation in Canada, but around the world.
Asthma: Ryan’s LawIn 2015, the Government of Ontario passed Ryan’s Law, which gives all children with asthma the right to carry their own asthma emergency medications at school. Ontario is the first province in Canada to offer such legislation. Ryan’s Law is named for Ryan Gibbons who died on October 9, 2012, after suffering an asthma attack during recess.