🍁 civid v1

Status and purpose

• Bill S-247 was introduced in the Senate and received first reading on May 5, 2026.
• It would require the federal Minister of Health to develop a national framework on food allergy.

National framework

• The Minister would consult provincial and territorial health representatives, Indigenous governing bodies, health professionals, patient groups and other relevant stakeholders.
• The framework would identify measures to improve timely diagnosis and care; integrate prevention practices, including early allergen introduction; improve access to medications, epinephrine devices and treatments; and improve access to accurate ingredient information.
• It would also identify measures to increase public awareness of food allergy and anaphylaxis and support research and innovation.
• These requirements concern the development of a framework; the bill does not itself set out specific service, treatment or labelling requirements.

Advisory board

• The Minister would establish a board of up to 15 members to advise on food allergy and appoint one member as chair.
• Members could include government and Indigenous representatives, advocates, health professionals, people living with food allergy and caregivers. They could serve renewable terms of up to three years and would receive no remuneration for their duties.
• The board would meet at least twice a year.

Reports and deadlines

• Within 18 months after the Act comes into force, the Minister would have to prepare a report setting out the framework. It would be tabled in each House of Parliament within the first 15 sitting days after completion and published on the Department of Health website within 10 days after tabling.
• Within three years after the framework report is tabled in both Houses, the Minister would have to report on its effectiveness, conclusions and recommendations. The same tabling and publication deadlines would apply.

Existing law and costs

• The provided bill text does not specify amendments to existing laws or funding amounts. It states that advisory board members would not be paid for their duties.