Results of parliamentary elections and further reforms in Kazakhstan discussed in Canada

Ottawa, January 21, 2021 – The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Canada held an online seminar dedicated to the results of the elections to the Mazhilis and the third package of reforms proposed by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the first plenary session of the Parliament.

The seminar was attended by employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, co-chairman of the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council, President of the Cameco Corporation T. Gitzel, President of the CERBA Association J. Breton, representatives of the scientific and public circles of Canada, Canadian media, Director of the Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Abishev, as well as citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada.

The seminar was attended by officials of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Canada, co-chair of Business Council of Kazakhstan-Canada, President of Cameco Corporation T.Gitzel, President of the Association «CERBA» J. Breton, representatives of scientific and public circles of Canada, Canadian media, Director of Institute of diplomacy, Academy of public administration under the President of Kazakhstan M.Abisheva, as well as citizens of Kazakhstan in Canada.

During the seminar, Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan Murat Rustemov briefed the participants with the peculiarities of the third reform package of the President, aimed at forming a legal a just state and a strong civil society. The Kazakh diplomat noted the social nature of the reforms, which focus on – the well-being and health of citizens, strengthening human rights and freedoms, and balanced regional development.

Independent expert point of view was presented by the Director of the Institute of diplomacy, Academy of public administration under the President of Kazakhstan Marian Abisheva, which drew attention to the peculiarities of the elections and their importance for the further democratic development of the country. In her opinion, these elections were the first parliamentary elections under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Despite a number of quarantine restrictions, the elections were held. For the first time, the institution of the parliamentary opposition has been officially established in the country, and there are more women and young people among the deputies.

Tim Gitzel, Co-Chairman of the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council, President of Cameco Corporation, highly appreciated the preparation and holding of the elections to the Mazhilis. As a major foreign investor, T.Gitzel particularly noted the objectivity and transparency of the voting process, as well as the consistency of the ongoing reforms in our country. In his opinion, all this creates a favorable atmosphere for foreign capital.

During the seminar, the speakers answered a number of questions from the Canadian media about the election process in Kazakhstan. For example, the Canadian journalist Dan Donovan was interested in the institution of representation of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan in the Parliament, and its political and legislative basis.

In addition, at the seminar, Bakhyt Adambekov, who participated in the elections to the Majilis on January 10 this year in Toronto (Canada), expressed his civic opinion. He spoke about his personal experience of voting at the polling station at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Canada and the organizational features of this process.

In general, the seminar demonstrated the significant interest of the Canadian audience, public, scientific and business circles to the state reforms in Kazakhstan and the significance of the parliamentary elections held as part of the process of political modernization in our country.