Each province runs its own special education system — different terms, processes, and parent rights. Find the framework that applies where you live.
Search by province, city, or plan name (IEP, IPP, PI, PLP). Pick what you want to do next, then go.
Pick a province above to see steps using your local terminology (IEP, IPP, PI, PLP…).
Our deepest expertise. Step-by-step guides to identification, IEP development, the IPRC process, Special Equipment Amount (SEA) claims, and what to do when the board says "no".
A printable, parent-friendly checklist covering every step Ontario families should expect — from requesting supports to reviewing the finished IEP. Built for the Ontario system (IPRC, SEA, 30-day rule, annual review).
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We'll send the checklist plus occasional Ontario advocacy tips.
Ontario and Quebec — the largest school systems, with very different special education frameworks.
BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba — IEPs, IPPs, and inclusive education models.
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador — Personalized Learning Plans and student services.
Every province uses different terminology — IEP in Ontario and BC, IPP in Alberta, plan d'intervention in Quebec, PLP in Atlantic Canada. The principles of advocacy stay the same.
Every Canadian province uses different language for the same idea: a written plan describing the supports, accommodations, and goals your child needs at school. Here's the cheat sheet, with links to the right provincial hub for each term.
Used in: Ontario, BC, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI
A written plan describing the special education program and services your child needs. In Ontario it must be developed within 30 school days of placement and is tied to the IPRC process. In BC it follows a ministry designation and is reviewed at least once per year.
Used in: Alberta, Nova Scotia
Alberta's IPP (Individualized Program Plan) and Nova Scotia's IPP (Individual Program Plan) document goals, accommodations, and services. There is no formal identification committee like Ontario's IPRC — decisions are made by the school learning or program planning team with parent input.
Used in: Quebec
Quebec's plan d'intervention is developed by a multidisciplinary team including parents. It identifies the student's needs, sets measurable goals, and lists the services and accommodations the school will provide — often within the HDAA framework.
Used in: New Brunswick (and similar plans across Atlantic Canada)
New Brunswick uses Personalized Learning Plans inside its inclusive education model — most students are supported in regular classrooms. Other Atlantic provinces use related Student Support Plans with similar accommodations and review schedules.
Used in: Manitoba (SSP), Saskatchewan (PPP)
Manitoba's Student Specific Plan and Saskatchewan's Personal Program Plan are the prairie equivalents of an IEP — used for students who need specialized programming beyond standard classroom differentiation.
Whatever it's called in your province, the parent playbook is the same: request in writing, bring documentation, attend every meeting, and confirm decisions on paper.
IEP, IPP, PI, PLP — every province uses different language for the same idea. Quick answers below, with links to the right provincial hub.
In Ontario, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a written plan describing the special education program and/or services a student needs. It must be developed within 30 school days after a student is placed in a special education program — usually after an IPRC identifies them as 'exceptional', though a student can also receive an IEP without formal IPRC identification.
Ontario IEP & IPRC hubAlberta uses an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) instead of an IEP. The IPP serves the same purpose — documenting goals, accommodations, and services — but Alberta does not have a formal identification process like Ontario's IPRC. Decisions are made by the school learning team with parent input.
Alberta IPP guideBC uses Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with designations under one of 12 ministry categories. Parents must be consulted on the IEP, and the plan is reviewed at least once per school year. BC also has a strong inclusive education model where most students learn in regular classrooms with supports.
BC IEP guideIn Quebec, students with special needs receive a plan d'intervention (PI) — an Individualized Education Plan developed by a multidisciplinary team including parents. It identifies the student's needs, sets measurable goals, and lists the services and accommodations the school will provide.
Quebec PI guideNova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador use Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) or similar Student Support Plans. The structure varies by province but each includes accommodations, modified outcomes where needed, and a review schedule. Parents have the right to participate in planning meetings.
Nova Scotia PLP guideYes. Each province sets its own special education legislation, identification process, dispute resolution, and appeal rights. For example, Ontario has the Special Education Tribunal and IPRC appeals; BC has Section 11 appeals; Alberta uses learning team escalation and ministry processes. Core advocacy principles — request in writing, get assessments, attend every meeting — apply everywhere.
Yes, in every province. An IEP/IPP/PI/PLP is based on demonstrated educational need, not a medical diagnosis. Schools can — and should — provide accommodations and supports while you pursue a formal assessment. Bring documentation of your child's struggles (work samples, teacher emails, observations) to the planning meeting.
Start by requesting everything in writing and asking for the decision in writing too. Then escalate: school principal → board superintendent → director of education. Each province also has formal appeal routes (IPRC appeal in Ontario, Section 11 in BC, etc.). Our 'When schools say no' playbook walks through the steps.
We work with families across Canada and know the differences between IEPs, IPPs, PIs, and PLPs. A short call gets you pointed in the right direction.
Book a private, no-pressure strategy call. We'll help you map the next steps for your child — and your sanity.
