Appendix: U.S. and Canadian Federal Policy Publications
U.S. Federal Policy Publications
Bills/Laws – Congress writes and passes bills which are signed into law by the President.
THOMAS, Library of Congress – thomas.loc.gov
Website that includes links to members of the House and Senate, Congressional committees’ websites, the status of current bills, and the full text of laws, bills and other legislation.
United States Code (USC) – www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionUScode.action?collectionCode=USCODE
Codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States that have been enacted by Congress and signed by the President. Updated every six years.
Regulations – Federal agencies, boards, or commissions write regulations to enforce laws. Federal agencies must consult with the public when creating, modifying, or deleting regulations.
Federal Register – www.federalregister.gov
Daily publication of the U.S. Federal government that records notices, proposed, and final administrative regulations of federal agencies. The Federal Register contains regulations, proposed rules and public notices, executive orders, proclamations, and presidential documents.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – www.ecfr.gov
Codification of the general and permanent regulations published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Reports
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – www.cbo.gov
Non-partisan agency that issues economic and budget projections, analytical reports on federal programs, monthly budget reviews, and more.
Canadian Federal Policy Publications
Bills/Laws/Regulations
Canada Gazette – www.gazette.gc.ca
The official newspaper of the Canadian government. The Canada Gazette is issued in three parts:
Part one: published every Saturday and contains public notices, official appointments, and proposed regulations. Proposed regulations are open to public comment.
Part two: published every other Wednesday and contains all enacted regulations, orders, and proclamations.
Part three: published after the Royal Assent of any new Acts of Parliament.
Justice Laws Website – www.laws.justice.gc.ca
Website that includes all updated federal Acts and regulations. Updated on a biweekly basis.
LEGISinfo – http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo
Provides information on legislation before Parliament such as the text of the bill, major speeches at second reading, government press releases etc.
Reports
Parliamentary Budget Officer – www.pbo-dpb.gc.ca
Provides independent analysis to Parliament on the nation’s finances, trends in the Canadian economy, and issues cost estimate reports on any Parliament proposal when requested by a committee or Member of Parliament.
Library of Parliament – www.parl.gc.ca/About/Library/VirtualLibrary/ResearchPublications-E.asp
Non-partisan research publications that provide analysis to parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary associations on current and emerging key issues, legislation and major public policy topics.