Finding Data

An Introduction to Statistics Canada Data and Geographic Terminology

Cody Fullerton

Data & Social Science Librarian

University of Manitoba Libraries

Today's Class:

1. Data Liberation Initiative
2. Geography Terminology
3. Statistics Canada Data Portal

Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)

• The DLI is a partnership between post-secondary institutions and StatCan for improving access to Canadian data resources.
• The program began as a way for Canadian universities to collectively purchase StatCan files for use by researchers.
• It has evolved into training and support for university data librarians so they can best serve their communities.
• As members, we have free access to PUMFs, specialized aggregate tables, and PCCF.

Geography Terminology

Census Metropolitan Area & Census Agglomeration (CMA/CA)

Area consisting of one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a core. A census metropolitan area must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more live in the core. A census agglomeration must have a core population of at least 10,000.

Census Tract

Census tracts (CTs) are small, relatively stable geographic areas that usually have a population between 2,500 and 8,000 persons. They are located in census metropolitan areas and in census agglomerations that had a core population of 50,000 or more in the previous census.

Census Subdivision (CSD)

Area that is a municipality or an area that is deemed to be equivalent to a municipality for statistical reporting purposes (e.g., as an Indigenous reservations or an unorganized territory). Municipal status is defined by laws in effect in each province and territory in Canada.

Dissemination Area (DA)

Small area composed of one or more neighbouring blocks, with a population of 400 to 700 persons. All of Canada is divided into dissemination areas.

Dissemination Block (DB)

An area equivalent to a city block bounded by intersecting streets. These areas cover all of Canada.

Postal Codes

A quick note on Postal Codes:

• They are not typically used as census geography
• Sometimes data is sorted by Forward Sortation Area (FSA), the first three digits of a postal code
• If a researcher needs data by postal code they need to use the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF)

Census vs National Household Survey (NHS)

• In 2011 the long form census was made optional and replaced by the mandatory short-form NHS
• Data that the 2011 Census is accurate, but the short form survey includes less variables and as a result, is much less useful to the government and researchers.

Statistics Canada Data Portal

Find everything from federal census data, to provincial data, to local district data.

1. Geography 
2. Data

Local Data

• Open Data Portal
• City of Winnipeg
• Winnipeg Consortium
  • Community Data Program 
• MyPeg.ca
• Street Census

Questions?