The first Senate QP of the fall sitting saw special star, immigration minister John McCallum, take questions for the first time from the assembled senators. Leading off as is custom was opposition leader Claude Carignan, who wanted to know about the number of Canadians with dual citizenship who were living in countries with no diplomatic relations (possibly alluding to Iran, but not naming it). McCallum didn’t have any numbers to provide him, however.

New Liberal Senator leader Joseph Day asked about bringing in more families and refugees than simply economic migrants, and provided examples of private sector, including a programme by the Irvings to hire more refugees with seasonal tree planting. McCallum noted that it tends to take refugees longer to integrate, but in the medium term, they start doing better an their children do as good or better than Canadian-born children. McCallum also noted that they were reforming the Express Entry system to get better outcomes for those economic immigrants. Day raised the issue of temporary foreign workers taking places where economic migrants would be preferential. McCallum noted that they had just received a report from the Commons committee on the issue, and he was still considering its recommendations.Independent senator Omidvar asked about the growing emotional distance between First Nations and immigrants, and now that could be bridged with education for newcomers. McCallum noted that they have asked officials to make changes to the citizenship guide, and they would include more about First Nations in there.

Moment of confusion as McCallum isn't sure if he's allowed to name other ministers in the Senate. (He can). #SenQP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) October 4, 2016

Senator Ataullahjan asked a triple-barrelled question on refugees, asking about the international dimension in getting more settled faster, those who can’t get their designated families fast enough, and once they are in Canada, ensuring they get language training with childcare attached. McCallum noted the praise Canada is getting internationally for our private sponsorship programme, his guarantee to ensure they are settled by December, and he said that while there are bumps on the road, they have added funds for more language training.

Senator Eaton asked about the “value” of citizenship per the debate on C-6, and if they would have people with Canadian citizenship working overseas pay Canadian income tax as the Americans require. McCallum disputed her characterization of C-6, and wasn’t sure what her point was. Eaton pressed about the three years out of five rule that the bill favours rather than four years out of six that the Conservatives brought in, but McCallum couldn’t see what the big deal was.

Senator Eggleton asked about citizenship revocation notices despite requests from groups like BCCLA until due process could be restored. McCallum said he wouldn’t institute a moratorium, but clarified what kinds of revocations they were removing from the books, but he was amenable to a stronger appeal mechanism should it be included in C-6. Eggleton couldn’t understand why he would keep up the old system with insufficient due process, but McCallum softened his tone, saying he might consider some form of moratorium.

Senator Meredith asked about pathways to citizenship for temporary foreign workers, to which McCallum noted that they are looking at how to best do it, as the devil is always in the details. Meredith asked about the stories of those workers who were sent home when injured in Canada’s, and McCallum was sympathetic and he was looking to get better inspections, and that the labour department and provinces had a role to play.

Senator Enverga asked about the wait times for caregivers, particularly for those from the Philippines, where the processing time is 51 months after two years of service that gives them eligibility. McCallum noted his own family’s experience with caregivers, and noted that the processing times for most things in his department are too long, and while his first priority is for nuclear family reunification, he has seen the caregiver wait times coming down.

Senator Beyak asked about the use of taxpayer dollars on repealing the previous government’s bill on revoking citizenship of dual nationals convicted of heinous crimes. McCallum noted that it was not a question of money but principle, and people convicted of those crimes should be in jail, not the airport.

Senator Duffy keeps trying to ask a question, but it looks like we are about our of time. #SenQP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) October 4, 2016

Senator Munson asked about refugees with mental health issues, particularly PTSD, and what was being done about it. McCallum offered some generalities about support being offered, and that it was a pan-Canadian problem, and it was largely a provincial issue. Munson asked a supplemental about those families waiting for refugees, but McCallum reiterated his promise to get them in by the end of the year.

Overall, it was a nice antidote from Commons QP, as it always is, and McCallum is always game to give lively answers (and off-the-cuff rather than reading them, unlike some other ministers). We saw some pretty good questions, with a couple of clunkers *cough*Beyak*cough* but substantive debate is always a pleasure to watch.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Senator Diane Bellemare for an indigo jacket with three-quarter sleeves and skirt  and a black top, and to Senator Grant Mitchell for a charcoal suit with a white shirt and purple tie. Style citations go out to Senator André Pratte for a frumpy dark grey suit with a light grey shirt and maroon tie, and to Senator Elizabeth Marshall for a light pink dress with a black speckled pattern and a light pink jacket.