In January 2023, Girl Guides of Canada changed the Brownies branch’s name to Embers.
The renamed branch serves girls aged seven and eight. Girl Guides of Canada announced the change on January 11, 2023, after a national consultation and member vote. Embers was selected over Comets and became the organisation’s new term for this age group.
The change was made because current and former members told the organisation that Brownies could be harmful or exclusionary for some racialized girls and women. Girl Guides of Canada described the new name as part of an effort to create a more welcoming sense of belonging. The organisation phased the new terminology into uniforms, badges, websites and programme materials during 2023.
Embers is not the same branch as Sparks, Guides, Pathfinders or Rangers. Sparks generally serve ages five and six; Guides serve ages nine to eleven; Pathfinders ages twelve to fourteen; and Rangers older teenagers. The name change applies specifically to Girl Guides of Canada, not automatically to Brownie programmes worldwide.