October 06, 2009

Statute Changes BC "Ombudsman" Into "Ombudsperson"

The provincial Ombudsman for British Columbia will become the Ombudsperson under a new law introduced by the BC legislature. "This name change is about better reflecting the era in which we live," said Attorney General Michael de Jong, who introduced Bill 12 amending the Ombudsman Act. "Societal norms have evolved since this office was first established in 1979. Workplace diversity has come a long way, and this change reflects our sensitivity to the names of public offices." The bill changes only the name and does not otherwise affect the mandate of the BC Ombudsperson to oversee the administrative actions of government authorities. (BC Ombudsman Amendment Act, 2009 (first reading); Victoria Times Colonist; CTV News.)

Related posts: Linguist Finds "Ombuds" Usage Shifting Slowly; Former ESPN Ombuds Explains Why She Was Not an “Ombudswoman”.

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