Publication of Proposed Regulations and the Consultation of Citizens

The experience of the Government of Canada’s official newspaper

Rémi MasséDirector, Canada Gazette December 10, 2008

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Context• Published regularly since 1841, the Canada Gazette is

the official newspaper of the Government of Canada.

• We publish:

Official public and private sector notices, official nominations and proposed regulations (Part I);

New regulations (Part II); Laws of public interest and their proclamations

(Part III).

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Background and Framework of the Consultation Process

• In 1986, within the framework of the Regulatory Reform Strategy, the Government of Canada established the first policy regarding regulation. One of its guiding principles was to facilitate access and the participation of Canadians in the federal regulatory process.

• This policy was then revised in 1992, and again in 1995 and 1999; from a guiding principle, consultation became a requirement.

• On April 1, 2007, the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation replaced this 1999 policy; an entire section of the Cabinet Directive was dedicated to Regulatory Consultation.

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Consultation Requirements• Identify interested parties concerned and give them the chance to

take part in consultations at every step in the regulatory process;• Work with First Nations, Inuits and Métis communities and

peoples, organizations and Aboriginal governments;• Publish proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette

including an impact analysis statement – consultation period to allow for public comments;

• Review the proposed regulations taking into account all comments received;

• Publish the modified regulations in Part II of the Canada Gazette, including a revised impact analysis statement.

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Examples and StatisticsTwo examples:

Statistics:• Published between January and September 2008:

39 issues of Part I, 1700 notices of which 79 were proposed regulations, 3344 pages;

• Over the past 6 months: over 1 million Web site visits, 500K unique site visitors, and 3.8M pages consulted online (637K per month, on average).

• Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations• Food and Drug Regulations

Communication Tools Web Site - Common Look and Feel Standards

Improve access to the Canada Gazette, its Web site navigation and content distribution.

The Canada Gazette Publication Order (2003) made the electronic PDF format an official version.

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Consultation PortalCanadians can consult the proposed regulations published in Part I and actively participate in the regulatory process by forwarding their comments to the relevant department or agency involved.

Communication Tools (continued)

RSS News FeedsThe Canada Gazette Directorate offers a free RSS News Feed service that allows online subscribers to be instantly informed of the latest notices on certain pre-selected topics offered as soon as they are published in Part I.

These topics are the environment, health, transport and notices of vacancy.

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Communication Tools (continued)

Library and Archives CanadaIn collaboration with Library and Archives Canada, the Canada Gazette Directorate has undertaken an important project which will see the digitization of all issues published between 1841 and 1997.

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Questions

Rémi MasséDirectorCanada GazetteTelephone: (613) 943-7635350 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0S5