Obtaining Statistics Canada
Spatial Boundary Files
These instructions are intended to provide information to McMaster
University researchers and affiliates who want to obtain a Statistics
Canada spatial boundary file from the Data Liberation Initiative FTP site,
for the purpose of creating their own map. Click here for more information
on the Data Liberation
Initiative project.
Step 1: Determine what type of geography is associated
with the statistical data you want to use.
Step 2: Decide what geographical area you want to
display on your map.
Step 3: Determine the appropriate filenames for the
spatial boundary files you will need to create your map.
Step 4: Request the spatial boundary files that you
need for your map.
Step 1: Determine what type of geography is associated with the statistical
data you want to use.
- provincial level (PR/TERR)?
- federal electoral districts (FED)?
- census divisions (CD)?
- census subdivisions (CSD)?
- census metropolitan areas (CMA)?
- census tracts (CT)?
- enumeration areas (EA)?
- block faces (BF)?
- postal code zones (PC)?
How?
Look at the statistics you want to use. Look for data field names containing
the above abbreviations. For example, a field called "ct_name"
indicates the data is at the census tract level.
If you are using Census data, look for the field called "geography"
or "geocode". Copy down several sample numbers from this field.
Use the "Summary of Geography Area Codes"
table to determine the level of geography of the data.
If you are unfamiliar with the geographical hierarchies that Statistics
Canada uses, consult the following reference tools:
- Geography Guide Book (Statistics Canada #92-310) (copies available
in Mills Library Govt. Publications and in the Map Collection)
- Census Dictionary - Geography Section (Statistics Canada #92-351)
(copies available in Mill Library Govt. Publications and in the Map
Collection)
Step 2: Decide what geographical area you want to display on your map.
- whole country?
- Ontario?
- Hamilton-Wentworth Region?
How?
Take into consideration the type of geography associated with your statistical
data. For example, census tract data is not suited to display at the national
level.
Take into consideration the purpose of your map. You can zoom in on a
map to display your area of research, but you cannot zoom out beyond the
boundaries you select. Make sure the geographic area you choose completely
covers your area of research.
If you are unfamiliar with boundaries of the geographical areas covered
by Statistics Canada, consult the following reference tools:
- Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions: Reference Maps (Statistics
Canada #92-319) (copies available in Mills Library Govt. Publications
and in the Map Collection)
- Census Metropolitan Areas, Census Agglomerations and Census Tracts:
Reference Maps (Statistics Canada #92-320) (copies available in
Mills Library Govt. Publications and in the Map Collection)
- Canadian Atlas of F.S.A. Postal Areas, 2nd ed. (Map Collection,
call number HE 6653 .C36 1993)
Step 3: Determine the appropriate filenames for the spatial boundary
files you will need to create your map.
Statistics Canada has made a number of geographic boundary files available
through the Data Liberation Initiative FTP site. These are not directly
accessible to individual researchers, and will be downloaded for you by
McMaster's DLI Administrator (Vivek Jadon).
To request a boundary file, you must first determine its name and location,
so that Mr. Jadon can retrieve it for you.
How?
Determine the data format required by the software you will be using
to create your map.
- ArcInfo? (used in ArcView, PC ArcInfo)
- MapInfo?
Determine the correct path (i.e. sequence of computer directories and
subdirectories on the DLI FTP server) for the kind of boundary file you
need. Here is a link
to the directory of all DLI files available.
If you need further assistance in establishing the correct filename,
or information about difference types of census geography, contact
the Map Collection, Mills Library, or come in and we will be happy
to assist you.
All spatial data are stored in the root directory geogfiles. Your path
name begins:
- /geography and then the year of data you are using eg. /1991 or /2001
For 1991 and 1996 Census, you must choose refdata (for metadata files)
or spatdata (for geographic boundary files)? Choose one and add it to
your path name.
- geography/1991/spatdata
For 2001 Census, you must choose Documentation (for metadata files) or
Spatial-Spatiale (for geographic boundary files).
geography/2001/spatial-spatiale
Do you want ArcInfo or MapInfo format? Choose one and add it to your
path name.
- geogfiles/1991/spatdata/arcinfo
For 1991 and 1996 Census, you must choose Digital Boundary Files (dbf),
Digital Cartographic Files (dcf), Street Network Files (snf) or Skeletal
Street Network Files (ssnf)? Choose one and add it to your path name.
- geogfiles/1991/spatdata/arcinfo/dbf
If you are unfamiliar with the contents of these different boundary files,
consult the following reference tools:
- Geography Guide Book (Statistics Canada #92-310) (copies available
in Mills Library Govt. Publications and in the Map Collection)
- "Boundary Files" (pp.9-1 to 9-3 from STC's 1991 Geo Products
and ArcView manual, explaining the differences between DBF and DCF)
(unpublished; photocopy available in the Map Collection)
- Statistics Canada supplies a "User Guide" or metadata file for each
type of spatial boundary file. Consult these for technical information
about the boundary files. Paper copies are available in the Map Collection.
For 2001 Census, all files are "cartographic boundaries".
Is there a further level of census geography? For example: CCS? CD? CSD?
CT? EA? Choose one if appropriate and add it to your path name.
- geogfiles/1991/spatdata/arcinfo/dbf/ct
Is there a specific geographical area that you want to display on your
map? For example: Ontario? Hamilton-Wentworth? Choose one if appropriate
and add it to your path name.
- geogfiles/1991/spatdata/arcinfo/dbf/ct/gca537ct.exe
If you are unfamiliar with the code numbers used by Statistics Canada
to designate different provinces and municipalities, consult the following
reference tools:
- Standard Geographical Classification SGC 1991 or 1996 (Statistics
Canada, 3 volumes: #12-571, 12-572, 12-573) (copies available in Mills
Library Govt. Publications and in the Map Collection)
geogfiles/1991/spatdata/arcinfo/dbf/ct/gca537ct.exe
- This is an example of a completed path and filename. It designates
a Digital Boundary File (dbf), at the census tract level (ct), for the
1991 Census Metropolitan Area of Hamilton-Wentworth (g91ct537), in ArcInfo
format (arcinfo). You should have a similar path and filename for every
file you want, before contacting the DLI Administrator (Step 4).
Step 4: Request the spatial boundary files that you need for your map.
The Statistics Canada Data Liberation Initiative FTP site is not directly
accessible to individual researchers.
The files you request will be obtained for you by McMaster's DLI Administrator
(Vivek Jadon, Data/Text Services Coordinator, Mills Memorial Library,
Room 218A, ext. 23848).
How?
Get a copy of the User Agreement form "McMaster University Library:
Data/Text Services", which is available in the Data/Text Services
office (Mills Library, Room 218A) or in the Map Collection on the 1st
Floor. Fill in the Library User Identification section and sign. Submit
the form at the Data/Text Services office or at the Map Collection.
This form requires you to use these boundary files in compliance with
the terms of the University Library's contractual agreement with Statistics
Canada. If you do not understand these terms, or you need more information
on your responsibilities under this license agreement, ask for assistance
at the Data/Text Services office in Mills Library or in the Map Collection.
Send Mr. Jadon the path and filenames of the files you are requesting,
preferably by email to jadonvs@mcmaster.ca.
Include information on how Mr. Jadon can contact you, preferably your
email address. He will let you know when the files will be available or
if he has any difficulty in locating your filenames.
The files you request will be mounted on a library server for you to
download. Mr. Jadon will send you downloading instructions
by e-mail. Contact Mr. Jadon if you wish to arrange another
method of transer.
|
