Live in French in Hawkesbury

Duration: 3:07 minutes

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

We see an aerial view of the Town of Hawkesbury with the Ottawa River in the foreground. A map of Ontario appears over the image with the text:

“Hawkesbury
Ontario
Over 85% of the population uses French in the workplace. ”

We then see a sign that reads: “Live in Hawkesbury for its thriving Francophone community.” The image shifts to a bridge with a few houses along the edge of the river. We then see a building with a sign that reads: “Eastern Ontario Health Unit.” Pascal is seen walking along Main Street. Finally, he is seen standing in front of the building. He looks directly at the camera, smiling. Text appears over the image:

“Pascal Bahilo Rubaghara
Settlement Officer
Welcoming Francophone Community”

Pascal bahilo rubaghara: Hawkesbury is a small town with a quiet environment. It has recreational activities, and the people are welcoming. Anyone who comes here finds peace and quiet.

We see an aerial view of the town. We then see a building with a sign: “Employment Service Centre.” Pascal and another man are in his office. Pascal gives him a form, which the man completes and gives back to him. We then see Pascal in an office speaking directly to the camera.

Pascal bahilo rubaghara: We are a single point of contact for newcomers. We help them find housing, jobs and other related services, such as administrative procedures. When looking for housing, we start by contacting real estate agents, who know what houses or apartments are available.

We see a montage of several houses of different sizes. This shifts to an image of a show in a park. A small crowd has gathered. Text appears over the image:

“The Town of Hawkesbury celebrated Canada Day with a multicultural festival theme.”

It shifts to an image of three members of a First Nations community looking at the camera. They are then on stage with the Mayor and other politicians from the area. The Mayor cuts a red ribbon to start the Canada Day festivities. We see the crowd. Pascal is there. Finally, the scene ends with images of the guitar player and singer from the band.

Pascal bahilo rubaghara: We show newcomers around, and it’s up to them whether or not to take it. The multicultural festival initiative in our area is meant to connect newcomers with the local community.

There is then a transition to a Franco-Ontarian flag. It continues with an aerial view of the town, followed by an aerial view of the Hawkesbury General Hospital. A doctor is seen entering a room where a patient is waiting for him. The same doctor is then seen outside, in front of the hospital, looking directly at the camera. Text appears over the image:

“André Borduas
Physician
Hawkesbury General Hospital”

André borduas: I was born in the Hawkesbury area. It was always my goal to come back to practise here.

The doctor is then seen speaking with his patient. He is then seen standing in the hospital’s waiting room. He speaks directly to the camera. We then return to the room with the patient. He examines him with a stethoscope. The image then shifts to other patients receiving care, such as x-rays.

André borduas: Hawkesbury is an excellent place to raise a family because you’re close to a full range of services. This is a hospital in a small region with 10,000 residents. However, we have access to services that you may only see in major centres, including general surgery, orthopedics and gynecology. All close to home.

There is a long shot of the hospital from outside. Text appears over the image.

“All health care services in the town are available in French.”

We see an aerial view of the bridge over the Ottawa River, leading directly to Hawkesbury. Cars are driving across it. The image shifts to a woman coming out of her house with a computer. The woman stands in front of her house and looks directly at the camera. Text appears over the image:

“Muriel Mben
Journalist and Author”

Muriel mben: Hawkesbury is a strategic town located an hour from Ottawa and an hour from Montreal. So, it’s really the place to be. We can speak French and live in a nice area.

The image shifts to an aerial view of the Town of Hawkesbury. We see an apartment complex. Text appears over the image:

“Job search assistance is available.”

We see a long shot of Muriel’s yard, where she is sitting at a small table. She is writing on her computer. We then see an image of a building with a sign reading “Family home.”

Muriel mben: Since I wanted to pursue a career in Hawkesbury, it was important for me to find a daycare for my daughter. So, I got a list of all the daycares in Hawkesbury from the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario. I was able to find a Francophone daycare for my daughter.

We see a long shot of a historic downtown building. Text appears over the image:

“The manufacturing and retail sectors are the town’s main sources of employment.”

We then see a flower and a cabbage. The image shifts to an aerial view of the Hawkesbury community garden. Muriel is seen watering plants. She is then seen standing in her yard, speaking directly to the camera.

Muriel mben: My family and I really enjoy living in Hawkesbury because we can live in French at work as well as culturally and socially. We also like our neighbourhood, which is very friendly.

We then see an aerial view of the river at sunset. A small duck is paddling in the water. It closes with a sped-up image of the sun setting on the horizon on the Ottawa River. Text appears on the screen: “Find out more about services in French: vivreahawkesbury.ca.”

The music stops. The department’s signature, a small Canadian flag, appears on a white background with the text “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Immigration” and “Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada.” The Government of Canada signature is shown: the Canadian flag flying against a white background.