In British Columbia, there is no legislation such as Sabrina’s Law, for
anaphylactic children. To read Sabrina's Story please click on the link:http://www.cbc.ca/outfront/webeatures/sabrina/sab_shell.html
To read Sabrina's Law please click on the link:
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/allergies .

Bill M2 Anaphylactic Student Protection Act, 2007, a private member’s bill, failed to pass as legislation.  Instead, the Province of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Education, developed the British Columbia Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework in September 2007.  To review this document please use the link provided:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/bc_anaphylactic_child_safety.pdf

This framework is not legislation.  It is a Ministerial Order.  All school districts in British Columbia are required to develop anaphylactic child safety guidelines.  Because each school district has the ability to create their own guidelines, variances occur across districts.  In addition, each school within a specific school district has the means to interpret the guidelines created and, as such, variances amongst schools within the same district also occur.  For example, you may find one school that has adopted a ‘peanut-free’ policy while another school in the same district has chosen to adopt a ‘allergy aware’ policy rather than attempting to make the entire school ‘peanut-free’.

In order to communicate effectively with the principal and teachers at your child’s school, it is strongly recommended that you first obtain a copy of the British Columbia Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework as well as a copy of the School District Policy on Anaphylaxis.  It is these two primary documents that are needed in order to start meaningful discussions with the school personnel when requesting certain actions to be taken to address the needs of your child.  It is important to keep in mind that demanding a school be ‘peanut-free’ for example may not provide the results you desire given that the School District’s have NOT been legislated or even given a Ministerial Order to be ‘free’ of any specific allergen.  They have been given a Ministerial Order to minimize the exposure to the allergen and develop appropriate emergency action plans to address anaphylaxis in a school setting.  Therefore, parents are strongly encouraged to understand the policies in place and the requirements that have been placed upon the School Districts in order to engage in meaningful discussions with school personnel.

To assist in this regard, please find the links below for each School District in the Metro Vancouver area, including the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound, to the School District Anaphylaxis Policies.

 

Click Here for School Links