Statistics & Data

Geospatial Data

Data that includes geographic positioning information relative to a coordinate system. Geospatial data usually needs to be interpreted using GIS software.

Mapping Census Data

The following two resources outline how to map Canadian Census data using a GIS software program. The Census boundary files for mapping Census data are linked below as well.

SFU Library's Guide on the Canadian Census
Learn how to map Canadian Censu data in QGIS using Simon Fraser Library's step-by-step guide.
UofT's Tutorial for Mapping Census Data in ArxGIS Pro
This tutorial, created by University of Toronto Libraries, will cover how to download census data and census boundary files and match them together in ArcGIS Pro for further analysis. Census data will be downloaded using CHASS.
Census Boundary Files
Standard geographic boundaries (both digital and cartographic) of Canadian census areas for 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, and 2001.

Postal Code Conversion File

Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF)

Census data do not include postal codes. If you have data with postal codes you want to link to rich data from the Census, the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) is the tool for you!

The Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) links six-character postal codes to standard geographic areas such as dissemination areas, census tracts, and census subdivisions. By linking postal codes to standard geographic areas, the file facilitates the extraction and subsequent aggregation of data for selected geographic areas. The PCCF also associates each postal code with a longitude and latitude coordinate to support mapping applications.

Postal Codes^OM by Federal Ridings File (PCFRF)

The PCFRF is a subset of the PCCF, provides a link between the six-character postal code and Canada's federal electoral districts (commonly known as federal ridings). The "unique link" variable indicates if the postal code is linked to one or more federal electoral districts (FEDs). When the postal code is linked to more than one FED, the "weight" variable estimates the proportion of the population of the postal code that resides within each FED.

PCCF+

The Postal Code^OM Conversion File Plus (PCCF+) is a SAS© control program and set of associated datasets derived from the Postal Code^OM Conversion File (PCCF), a Postal Code^OM population weight file, the Geographic Attribute File, Health Region boundary files, and other supplementary data. PCCF+ automatically assigns a range of Statistics Canada’s standard geographic areas and other geographic identifiers based on Postal Codes^OM. The PCCF+ differs from the PCCF in that it uses population-weighted random allocation for Postal Codes^OM that link to more than one geographic area.

Where to find PCCF, PCFRF & PCCF+?

Find all PCCF, PCFRF & PCCF+ files in Odesi, a repository of Canadian data. Use the search bar to search PCCF +[year] or navigate to Browse in the top right corner of the page, select Geography under the categories listed and select the file you ar looking for. You will be required to agree to the terms to download the documents.

Odesi
This resource can only be used by current students, faculty/staff.
Note: Odesi recently moved from the Nesstar platform to the Borealis platform. Check out the New Odesi User Guide now available.
Odesi is a web-based tool for data exploration, extraction and analysis. It searches for survey questions (variables) across thousands of datasets held in a growing number of collections, and supports basic tabulation and analysis online. As well, it contains a digital repository for social science data the core of which is Statistics Canada's public-use survey data.

Guide to PCCF, PCFRF & PCCF+ by MacOdrum Library (Carleton)
Detailed information about the PCCF, PCFRF & PCCF+ and additional learning resources.

Geospatial Data Sources

Manitoba Geospatial Data

Manitoba Land Initiative
... the source for geo-spatial information from the Government of Manitoba.

Canada Geospatial Data

Census Boundary Files
Standard geographic boundaries (both digital and cartographic) of Canadian census areas for 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, and 2001.
GeoBase
... free and unrestricted access to up-to-date Canadian geospatial information. Registration required.
GeoGratis
... offered through the Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada, Geogratis provides access to Canadian Geospatial Data.
2001 Agricultural Ecumene Boundaries
... delineates areas of significant agricultural activity in Canada

Geospatial Research Data

Geodisy
FRDR’s map search is an open source discovery tool powered by Geodisy that allows users to find data using an interactive map. The map search only includes datasets from repositories indexed by FRDR that contain geospatial information.

PCCF

Ethics Considerations for Geospatial Data

Ethics Considerations in the Use of Geospatial Data for Research and Statistics
This guidance document explores ethical considerations in the use of geospatial data for research, analysis and statistics.
It is divided into 8 main parts, providing an initial introduction to geospatial data and ethics, before moving on to consider case examples and potential mitigations related to four key areas, as well as links to further resources. An ethics checklist is also provided for researchers and analysts using geospatial data, which summarises the main points covered in this guidance.