Canada's Department of Justice Now Favors Use of 'Ombuds' in Move to Gender Inclusivity

The Government of Canada has updated its legislative drafting guidance to promote gender-inclusive language. The new guidelines specifically urge drafters to avoid “ombudsman” in favor of “ombuds, ombud or ombudsperson.”

The guidance cites IOA in its explanation:

No single gender-inclusive term for “ombudsman” predominates, and many organizations continue to use “ombudsman”. In 2021, the International Ombuds Association adopted the term “ombuds” (IOA Is Set to Become International Ombuds Association). “Ombuds” – with a final “-s” – may be used in both the singular and plural.

(DOJ Legislative Drafting [link in original].)

See also: Linguist Finds "Ombuds" Usage Shifting Slowly; New Google Tool Shows Dominance of ‘Ombudsman’ Over Variants; Blog Post Explores Use of 'Ombudsman' in UK; New Zealand High Court Offers Hope for Additional Uses of 'Ombudsman' Title; International Ombudsman Association to Drop '-man' From Name; New Directory of Federal Ombuds in Canada; COFO Updates Governance Structures [Changes Name].