Official Languages Act

Marginal note:Commitment to equal opportunities and equitable participation

• 39 (1) The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that

  • (a) English-speaking Canadians and French-speaking Canadians, without regard to their ethnic origin or first language learned, have equal opportunities to obtain employment and advancement in federal institutions; and

  • (b) the composition of the work-force of federal institutions tends to reflect the presence of both the official language communities of Canada, taking into account the characteristics of individual institutions, including their mandates, the public they serve and their location.

• Marginal note:Employment opportunities

  (2) In carrying out the commitment of the Government of Canada under subsection (1), federal institutions shall ensure that employment opportunities are open to both English-speaking Canadians and French-speaking Canadians, taking into account the purposes and provisions of this Act.

• Marginal note:Merit principle

  (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as abrogating or derogating from the principle of selection of personnel according to merit.