New law in Alberta will better protect students with food allergy

Today, Bill 201 – Protection of Students with Life-Threatening Allergies Act has become law in Alberta and will come into effect in January 2020.

Thanks to all of you who reached out to your MLA earlier this month to help make this happen, it’s with your support and advocacy that real change happens.

This important new legislation, which mirrors elements of Sabrina’s Law in Ontario, will ensure students with food allergy are better protected in publicly-funded Alberta schools. With enhanced training, awareness, and education along with the added safety measures of having stock epinephrine, Alberta now has one of the most comprehensive school policies in Canada.

Thank you to MLA Ms. Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk for putting this Bill forward and for her leadership in progressing this Bill into legislation quickly and efficiently. We have been working closely with Ms. Armstrong-Homeniuk’s staff on this initiative.

Bill 201 incorporates proven strategies for maintaining schools as safe and welcoming places for children with food allergy. This new law will require publicly-funded school boards to create an anaphylaxis policy that includes:

• Strategies to reduce the risk for all students with potentially life-threatening allergies
• A communication plan for the school community
• Mandatory training for school staff
• Identifying students with life-threatening allergies and keeping information about their allergies
• Stock epinephrine – an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen®) not prescribed to a specific individual and can be used in an emergency

Moving forward, we are prepared to act as a resource to the Government of Alberta and Alberta Education in developing policies and training programs to facilitate the requirements of this Bill.

We will continue to keep you informed on this Bill and its implementation early next year.