Census-Canada-Subdivisions-Digital Geospatial Data-Maps-Mills Library-McMaster

Census of Canada Boundary Files - Census Subdivisions

Source Description Metadata Attributes Demo & Sample How To Obtain

Source:

Statistics Canada, Data Liberation Initiative

Description:

Census subdivision (CSD) "is the general term applying to muncipalities (as determined by provincial legislation) or their equivalent (for example, Indian reserves, Indian settlements and unorganized territories)".

See the 1996 Census Dictionary for more information about how this geographical unit is defined (Statistics Canada catalogue no. 92-351).

The CSD digital boundary files provide polygon boundaries corresponding to the Census Subdivision units used in Census data collection. They may be used to map Census Subdivision data, in GIS software packages such as ArcView and MapInfo.

CSD digital boundary files are available for 1996 Census, 1991 Census and 1986 Census. They are available for all of Canada, for individual provinces, and for Census Metropolitan Areas. The example shown here is for the Census Metropolitan Area of Hamilton.

File format: ArcInfo Export format (.e00) or MapInfo format

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Metadata:

1) Statistics Canada, 1996 Census Dictionary (February 1997, Catalogue No. 92-351) or equivalent volume for older censuses.

Provides definition and description for this geographical unit, and a table indicating number of CSDs of different types for each province.

2) Statistics Canada, Digital Boundary File and Digital Cartographic File Reference Guide, April 1997.

Metadata for all digital Census geography files from Statistics Canada, including Census Subdivision files.
Paper copy available in the Map Collection in the binder labelled 1996 Census: User Guides for Digital Boundary Files.
Metadata can also be obtained as a digital file from the DLI Administrator
(filename = geogfiles/1996/digbound/document/dbfdoc.pdf).
This metadata document is available on the University of Toronto Data Library website, if you are accessing the Internet from a McMaster domain computer and if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer: http://prod.library.utoronto.ca/datalib/codebooks/c/cc96/georef/dbfdoc.pdf

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Attribute Fields in This Coverage

Csdname (name of census subdivision)
Csdtype (type of census subdivision)
Csduid (unique identifier - Standard Geographical Classification code composed of 2-digit province code, 2-digit census division code and 3-digit census subdivision code)
Pruid (2-digit province code)
Cmauid (3-digit code for Census Metropolitan Area)

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Demo Location:

A demonstration copy of this coverage is mounted on the ArcView workstation in the Map Collection.

The demonstration shows the Census Metropolitan Area of Hamilton. Census Subdivison boundary files are also available for all other parts of Canada.

d:\census\demo.apr. View = 1996 Census Boundaries Demo - Hamilton CMA

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How To Obtain These Files:

Canadian Census digital boundary files are supplied to McMaster University Library under a license agreement with Statistics Canada, which is called the Data Liberation Initiative. They are available only to affiliates of McMaster University, and may be used only for non-commercial purposes.

1) The DLI license form must be signed before the files will be delivered. Obtain a copy of this license form in the Map Collection or from the DLI Administrator (Vivek Jadon, Data/Text Services, Mills Library, Room 217). You must return the signed form to Mr. Jadon or to the Map Collection before your request for files will be processed.

2) Determine the correct path and filename from the DLI ftp site. The Map Collection staff will assist you if you need help in understanding the codenames used, or the choices of file formats offered.

3) Contact the DLI Administrator (Vivek Jadon) to request delivery of this file. Mr. Jadon will need the full path and filename, in order to deliver the correct file. He will give you information about delivery options (ftp, email, LearnLink, floppy disk).

Index

Index of Census Boundaries

Geospatial Data Geography Index

Map Collection Home Page

Last revised March 14, 2002 by Cathy Moulder, Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University Library