Canada Gazette Part I vs Part II: What Each Means for Compliance

In Canadian regulatory work, the Canada Gazette is where draft and final rules are published. Understanding the difference between Canada Gazette Part I and Canada Gazette Part II helps teams move from awareness to action: Part I signals proposals and comment windows; Part II records final regulations and coming-into-force details. This guide explains what each part contains, how to operationalize Canada Gazette monitoring in your workflow, and where automation saves the most time.

What is published in Canada Gazette Part I (draft stage)

Purpose: Canada Gazette Part I is the federal government’s primary channel for proposed regulations, Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements (RIAS), and public notices that invite feedback. It is the earliest indication that a change may be on the way.

Compliance value: Part I is where consultation windows and deadlines are announced. If you work in compliance or public affairs, this is your opportunity to shape the outcome before the rules are finalized. Teams should pair notices with owners, due dates, and a quick impact screen.

What to watch in Part I

• Proposal summary and scope (who is covered, what activities are affected).
• RIAS elements: problem definition, options considered, and expected impacts.
• Comment period and submission instructions (how and where to respond).
• Cross-references to enabling Acts or existing regulations that will be amended.

QUICK TIP – See current issues and archives at the Canada Gazette website.

What is published in Canada Gazette Part II (final stage)

Purpose: Canada Gazette Part II contains final regulations and statutory instruments. It is the authoritative record of what has been made into law by regulation.

Compliance value: Part II items include legal text and coming-into-force dates. This is where your program must translate rules into controls, procedures, and training. Track consequential amendments and definitions that change scope or timing.

What to watch in Part II

• Exact regulatory text (definitions, obligations, penalties, and exemptions).
• Coming into force and transition timelines.
• Consequential amendments to related regulations.
• Citations to enabling statutes and previous versions for audit trails.

QUICK TIP – Learn about Parts I–III of the Canada Gazette Canada Gazette Part I and Canada Gazette Part II sites.

A practical workflow for Canada Gazette monitoring

1. Capture and route
2. Set up automated Canada Gazette monitoring so Part I proposals and Part II finals are captured the day they publish. Route items to owners by issue, ministry, or business unit. Use Near Real-Time Alerts so deadlines are never missed.
3. Screen and prioritize
4. Apply a simple triage: scope (who is affected), materiality (risk or cost), and urgency (comment deadline or coming-into-force date). Link items to your Bill Tracking Canada and committee files to keep legislative and regulatory work in one view.
5. Respond or implement
6. For Part I, draft submissions or coordinate with your association partners before the window closes. For Part II, open a change ticket that defines controls, responsible teams, and an implementation calendar.
7. Brief leadership
8. Publish a weekly Executive Legislative Brief that lists: what changed, why it matters, and the next step. Keep it concise and attach source links for verification.

QUICK TIP – Configure alerts with Legislative Monitoring; and get committee context via Parliamentary Live.

Examples: how different teams use the Gazette

Compliance & Risk (enterprise): Track proposals in Canada Gazette Part I to size new obligations early; pivot to implementation when the matching Canada Gazette Part II item lands. Tie timelines to control testing and training plans.

Law firms (regulatory/administrative): Monitor comment windows to advise clients; cite Canada Gazette Part II text and coming-into-force clauses in opinions and checklists.

Trade associations and NGOs: Coordinate member input on Part I proposals; publish member-ready summaries with deadlines, talking points, and primary-source links.

Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs: Flag high-impact proposals to leadership; when Part II is published, update disclosure language and risk narratives accordingly.