So basically, it's the federal govt's 'newspaper', in which from time to time 'regulations' are proposed. So basically it's something that should absolutely not be used in the way it's being used, but c'est la vie.
Under this section :
http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/part1-archives-partie1-eng.html
You will see 'proposed' regulations, ala the MMAR / MMPR. These 'regulations' will never go outside of HC / the PMO, will never go to a commons committee or vote.
If the MMAR had been in legislation, the MMPR would have been even more of a disaster (but maybe better for us).