Collège Jeanne-Sauvé was the first French-immersion high school in western Canada. It was created as a result of the efforts of parents to ensure that their children be able to continue in French immersion after grade 8. The school was finally opened in January 1990 for grades 6 through 11. Its name was chosen to recognize the distinct ability that former Governor General of Canada Jeanne Sauvé had to bridge the gap between English and French communities, one of the main goals of French immersion. Sauvé was invited to the official opening of the school, which took place on March 1, 1990. While she was unable to attend, she kept her promise to visit the school: Sauvé visited Collège Jeanne-Sauvé for the entire school day on October 5, 1990, where she spoke to students and staff and visited classrooms in the school.