Live in French in Calgary

Duration: 3 minutes 26 seconds

Soft music builds to a crescendo. Text appears on a white background: “Welcoming Francophone communities support the integration of newcomers in French.”

We see a wide shot of downtown Calgary with a number of towering skyscrapers. We continue with an aerial view of a number of houses in a residential district. Then we see another aerial view of downtown Calgary. On this image, a map of Alberta appears along with the text

“Calgary Alberta Nearly ⅓ of Calgary’s population is of immigrant origin.”

We see a wide shot of a tram arriving at a downtown station, with a number of people standing inside. Then we see a man walking through the tram as it leaves the station. The same man stands in front of the window of the reception centre for Francophone newcomers. Text appears over this image:

Hassan Benabdallah Project Officer Centre d’accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones”

Hassan benabdallah: My wife and I decided to go to an English-speaking region because our children were raised in French and would learn a new language.

We continue with an aerial image of a residential area with small houses. Next, we see horses galloping in a field. Then we see a wide shot of houses with the Rocky Mountains in the background.

Hassan benabdallah: Calgary came up because my sister came to live in Calgary, and she called me and said, “Listen, Hassan, Calgary is wonderful.”

We cut to a wide shot of the Rockies at sunset. Text appears over this image:

“Calgary offers a city lifestyle within an hour of the Rockies.”

Next, we see Hassan standing in the offices of the reception centre for Francophone newcomers and speaking directly to the camera. Then we see a wide shot of a French school with a bus driving by. Next, we see lockers with children’s names on them. We cut to a classroom where a teacher is speaking to children sitting on the floor and listening attentively.

Hassan benabdallah: My wife and I chose to send our son to a French school so that he wouldn’t lose his French, knowing that with the environment here in Calgary, he’ll inevitably learn and become fluent in English.

We continue with an image of houses in a residential district. We see Hassan working at the computer in his office. We cut to an aerial image of downtown Calgary. Then we see Hassan walking along the street. Next, Hassan is talking in an office with a co-worker.

Hassan benabdallah: Everything we need — public transportation, recreational facilities and shopping — is close by. And when I say close by, I mean 300 or 400 metres away. The Centre d’accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones was recommended to us when we were in Morocco, and I must say that we came out of the initial meeting totally reassured. It was a moving experience for us because they took the time, they listened to us, and above all, they reassured us.

We continue with an image of the Bow River with skyscrapers in the background. Text appears over this image:

“The Centre d’accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones offers English classes and translation services.”

We cut to a woman walking her dog and then a man jogging on a small pedestrian bridge. Next, we see Erwan standing in a park; behind him we can see Calgary`s skyscrapers. He looks directly at the camera. Text appears over this image:

“Erwan Oger Economic Integration Coordinator Centre d’accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones”

Erwan oger: Here, we provide support services for the integration and settlement of newcomers in the Calgary area.

On a table, we see various documents about French language services in Calgary. Next, we see Erwan working at the computer in his office. Then we see him standing and speaking directly to the camera. The sequence ends with an aerial image of downtown Calgary.

Erwan oger: We realize that Francophones who speak a little English but who are unsure of themselves really need to try and find entry-level positions where they can practise their English while they are getting settled in Calgary and become fluent as they are working.

Then we see the image of a building with the words “Calgary Public Library.” We cut to Erwan walking on a pedestrian footbridge over the Bow River. Erwan then continues walking along the streets of downtown Calgary. We continue with an image of the Rocky Mountains and then of a man walking in the mountains. We cut to a montage sequence of several buildings in the city centre.

Erwan oger: Here in Calgary, we have a number of growing and active industries. The technology sector is booming. And, of course, we also have the transportation sector. With the Rockies so close, we have a highly developed tourism industry. So the economy is really diversifying and exploring new opportunities.

We continue with an image of Lucie working at the computer in her office. Then we see her standing in the offices of the Conseil Scolaire FrancoSud. She looks directly at the camera. Text appears over this image:

“Lucie Rodrigue Director of Educational Services Conseil scolaire FrancoSud”

Lucie rodrigue: The Conseil scolaire FrancoSud provides French-language services for our elementary, secondary and elementary/secondary schools.

We continue with an image of Lucie working at the computer in her office. We see the Franco-Albertan flag fluttering in the breeze and then images of buildings in downtown Calgary. Next, we see Lucie standing in an office and speaking directly to the camera.

Lucie rodrigue: In the last few years, we’ve started to give serious thought to how we should welcome our immigrants in a Francophone minority setting. Settlement workers understand immigrants’ realities; these workers are a great source of support for us in helping immigrants to make the transition from their native land to their new home.

We continue with a wide shot of École la Mosaïque. Then we see students in a classroom and the teacher talking to them. We cut to a wide shot of the school with children playing in the schoolyard. Text appears over this image:

“The Conseil scolaire FrancoSud has more than 15 schools.”

We continue with students working on their notebooks in a classroom. Then we see the teacher writing the word “education” on the board. Next, the teacher speaks to the students at the front of the classroom.

Lucie rodrigue: If you have young children and you send them to a French school when you arrive, I can assure you they will be as proficient in English as the students in English school. Knowing two languages is an asset that opens many more doors.

We continue with an aerial image of downtown Calgary. Text appears over this image:

“For more information about French-language services, visit canaf.ca”

The music stops. On a white background, we see the Department’s logo, a small Canadian flag with the text “Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada” and “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.” We see the Government of Canada logo, the Canadian flag against a white background.