Publications
Boundary Files, Reference Guide
4. Technical specifications
Record layouts and data descriptions
File specifications
Software formats
System requirements
File extension and accented character information
Geographic representation
File naming convention
Record layouts and data descriptions
Province and Territory
The Province and Territory Boundary Files portray the boundaries of the 10 provinces and 3 territories for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. Provinces and territories are the major political (legislated) areas of Canada. The files contain the boundaries of all provinces and territories which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.1 Province and territory boundary files record layout
Census division
The Census Division Boundary Files portray the census division boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A census division is a unit of regional government (such as a county or regional district) or an area treated as equivalent for statistical purposes. A census division is usually made up of a number of adjacent census subdivisions (municipalities). The files contain the boundaries of all census divisions which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.2 Census division boundary files record layout
Table 4.3 Census division types by province and territory, 2011 Census
Economic region
The Economic Region Boundary Files portray the economic region boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. An economic region is a grouping of complete census divisions (with an exception in Ontario) created as a 2011 Census standard geographic area for analysis of regional economic activity. The files contain the boundaries of all economic regions which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.4 Economic region boundary files record layout
Census metropolitan area and census agglomeration
The Census Metropolitan Area and Census Agglomeration Boundary Files portray the boundaries of the census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. Census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations consist of one or more adjacent municipalities (census subdivisions) around a core. To form a census metropolitan area, the core must have a population of at least 50,000 and the entire census metropolitan area must have a total population of at least 100,000. To form a census agglomeration, the core must have a population of at least 10,000. The files contain the boundaries of all census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations defined for the census. Census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations crossing provincial boundaries appear in the boundary files in provincial parts.
There is one census metropolitan area and three census agglomerations that cross provincial boundaries. In each of these cases, the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration is divided by the provincial limit and is represented as two polygon records in the boundary file.
The census metropolitan area and three census agglomerations that cross provincial boundaries are:
- Census Metropolitan Area of Ottawa – Gatineau, CMAUID 505, crosses the Quebec/Ontario provincial boundary
- Census Agglomeration of Campbellton, CMAUID 330, crosses the New Brunswick/Quebec provincial boundary
- Census Agglomeration of Hawkesbury, CMAUID 502, crosses the Quebec/Ontario provincial boundary
- Census Agglomeration of Lloydminster, CMAUID 840, crosses the Saskatchewan/Alberta provincial boundary
Table 4.5 Census metropolitan area and census agglomeration boundary files record layout
Census consolidated subdivision
The Census Consolidated Subdivision Boundary Files portray the census consolidated subdivision boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A census consolidated subdivision is a grouping of adjacent census subdivisions (municipalities) used primarily for disseminating Census of Agriculture data. The files contain the boundaries of all census consolidated subdivisions which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.7 Census consolidated subdivision boundary files record layout
Census subdivision
The Census Subdivision Boundary Files portray the census subdivision boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A census subdivision is a municipality or an area treated as equivalent to a municipality for statistical purposes (for example, Indian reserves and unorganized territories). Municipal status is defined by laws in effect in each province and territory in Canada. The files contain the boundaries of all census subdivisions which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.8 Census subdivision boundary files record layout
SACTYPE
The Statistical Area Classification type is a one-digit code that identifies whether a census subdivision is a component of a census metropolitan area (CMA), a census agglomeration (CA), a census metropolitan influenced zone (MIZ) or in the territories.
SACCODE
The Statistical Area Classification code is a three-digit code that identifies for which census metropolitan area (CMA), census agglomeration (CA) or census metropolitan influenced zone (MIZ) a census subdivision is a component. The MIZ categories, which denote the degree of influence that the CMAs and/or CAs have on these zones, are: strong (code 996), moderate (code 997), weak (code 998), no influence (code 999), or the territories (code 000), where the classification is not applicable.
Table 4.9 Statistical Area Classification types by province and territory, 2011 Census
Federal electoral district
The Federal Electoral District Boundary Files portray the federal electoral district boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A federal electoral district is an area represented by a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. The federal electoral district boundaries used for the 2011 Census are based on the 2003 Representation Order. The files contain the boundaries of all federal electoral districts which combined cover all of Canada. The Federal Electoral District boundary files portray the federal electoral districts in effect on January 1, 2011.
Table 4.10 Federal electoral district boundary files record layout
Census tract
The Census Tract Boundary Files portray the census tract boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. Census tracts are small; relatively stable 2011 Census standard geographic areas that usually have a population between 2,500 and 8,000. They are located in census metropolitan areas and in census agglomerations with a core population of 50,000 or more in the previous census. The files contain the boundaries of all census tracts located within the census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations for which census tracts are delineated.
Table 4.11 Census tract boundary files record layout
Dissemination area
The Dissemination Area Boundary Files portray the dissemination area boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A dissemination area is a small area composed of one or more neighbouring blocks and is the smallest 2011 Census standard geographic area for which all 2011 Census statistical data are available. The files contain the boundaries of all dissemination areas which combined cover all of Canada.
Table 4.12 Dissemination area boundary files record layout
Dissemination block
The Dissemination Block Boundary Files portray the dissemination block boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A dissemination block is an area bounded on all sides by roads and/or boundaries of 2011 Census standard geographic areas and is the smallest 2011 Census standard geographic area for which population and dwelling count data are available.
The digital boundary file contains the boundaries of all 493,345 dissemination blocks which combined cover all of Canada. The cartographic boundary file contains the boundaries of 493,192 dissemination blocks (see section 5. Data quality/Completeness).
Table 4.13 Dissemination block boundary files record layout
Population centre
The Population Centre Boundary Files portray the population centre boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A population centre has a minimum population of 1,000 persons and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre, based on the current census population count. The files contain the boundaries of all population centres defined for the census. Population centres crossing provincial boundaries appear in the boundary files in provincial parts.
There are five population centres that cross provincial boundaries. In each of these cases, the population centre is divided by the provincial limit and is represented as two polygon records in the boundary file. The five population centres that cross provincial boundaries are:
- Campbellton crosses the New Brunswick/Quebec provincial boundary
- Hawkesbury crosses the Quebec/Ontario provincial boundary
- Ottawa – Gatineau, crosses the Quebec/Ontario provincial boundary
- Flin Flon crosses the Manitoba/Saskatchewan provincial boundary
- Lloydminster crosses the Saskatchewan/Alberta provincial boundary
Population centre type categories includes core: secondary core, fringe inside census metropolitan area or census agglomeration, as well as population centre outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.
Population centre size class groups population centres into one of the following three categories:
- small population centre, with a population between 1,000 and 29,999
- medium population centre, with a population between 30,000 and 99,999
- large urban population centre, with a population of 100,000 or more.
Table 4.14 Population centre boundary files record layout
Table 4.15 Population centre type values by province and territory, 2011 Census
Table 4.16 Population centre size class values by province and territory, 2011 Census
Designated place
The Designated Place Boundary Files portray the designated place boundaries for which 2011 Census statistical data are disseminated. A designated place is normally a small community or settlement that does not meet the criteria established by Statistics Canada to be a census subdivision (an area with municipal status) or a population centre. Designated places are created by provinces and territories, in cooperation with Statistics Canada, to provide data for submunicipal areas. The files contain the boundaries of all designated places defined for the 2011 Census.
The digital boundary file contains the boundaries of all 1,507 designated places. The cartographic boundary file contains the boundaries of 1,503 designated places (see section 5, Data quality/Completeness).
Table 4.17 Designated place boundary files record layout
Table 4.18 Designated place types by province and territory, 2011 Census
Hydrographic reference files
The hydrographic reference files are provided for the mapping of inland and coastal waters, Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. These files were created to be used in conjunction with the boundary files to enable mapping at various scales. The record layout in Table 4.19 below is for inland lakes and rivers (polygons), coast (polygons) and inland rivers (lines).
Table 4.19 Hydrographic reference files record layout
Table 4.20 Hydrographic reference files feature count
Table 4.21 Hydrographic reference files feature count by rank
Attribute domain values
CDTYPE
The following is a list of the types of census divisions.
| CDTYPE | CD description |
|---|---|
| CDR | Census division / Division de recensement |
| CT | County / Comté |
| CTY | County |
| DIS | District |
| DM | District municipality |
| MRC | Municipalité régionale de comté |
| RD | Regional district |
| REG | Region |
| RM | Regional municipality |
| TÉ | Territoire équivalent |
| TER | Territory / Territoire |
| UC | United counties |
CSDTYPE
Census subdivisions are classified according to designations adopted by provincial or territorial or federal authorities. The following is a list of the types of census subdivisions.
| CSDTYPE | CSD description |
|---|---|
| C | City / Cité |
| CC | Chartered community |
| CG | Community government |
| CN | Crown colony / Colonie de la couronne |
| COM | Community |
| CT | Canton (municipalité de) |
| CU | Canton unis (municipalité de) |
| CV | City / Ville |
| CY | City |
| DM | District municipality |
| HAM | Hamlet |
| ID | Improvement district |
| IGD | Indian government district |
| IM | Island municipality |
| IRI | Indian reserve / Réserve indienne |
| LGD | Local government district |
| LOT | Township and royalty |
| M | Municipality / Municipalité |
| MD | Municipal district |
| MÉ | Municipalité |
| MU | Municipality |
| NH | Northern hamlet |
| NL | Nisga'a land |
| NO | Unorganized / Non organisé |
| NV | Northern village |
| P | Parish / Paroisse (municipalité de) |
| PE | Paroisse (municipalité de) |
| RCR | Rural community / Communauté rurale |
| RDA | Regional district electoral area |
| RG | Region |
| RGM | Regional municipality |
| RM | Rural municipality |
| RV | Resort village |
| S-É | Indian settlement / Établissement indien |
| SA | Special area |
| SC | Subdivision of county municipality / Subdivision municipalité de comté |
| SÉ | Settlement / Établissement |
| SET | Settlement |
| SG | Self-government / Autonomie gouvernementale |
| SM | Specialized municipality |
| SNO | Subdivision of unorganized / Subdivision non organisée |
| SV | Summer village |
| T | Town |
| TC | Terres réservées aux Cris |
| TI | Terre inuite |
| TK | Terres réservées aux Naskapis |
| TL | Teslin land |
| TP | Township |
| TV | Town / Ville |
| V | Ville |
| VC | Village cri |
| VK | Village naskapi |
| VL | Village |
| VN | Village nordique |
CMATYPE
The following is a list of the types of census metropolitan area /census agglomerations.
| CMATYPE | CMA description |
|---|---|
| B | Census metropolitan area (CMA) |
| D | Census agglomeration (CA) with no census tracts |
| K | Census agglomeration (CA) with census tracts |
| < Null > | not applicable (outside of CMA or CA) |
SACTYPE
The Statistical Area Classification type is a one-digit code that identifies whether a census subdivision is a component of a census metropolitan area (CMA), a census agglomeration (CA), a census metropolitan influenced zone (MIZ) or in the territories. The following is a list of the types of Statistical Area Classification.
| SACTYPE | SACTYPE description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Census subdivision within census metropolitan area |
| 2 | Census subdivision within census agglomeration with at least one census tract |
| 3 | Census subdivision within census agglomeration having no census tracts |
| 4 | Census subdivision outside of census metropolitan area and census agglomeration area having strong metropolitan influence |
| 5 | Census subdivision outside of census metropolitan area and census agglomeration area having moderate metropolitan influence |
| 6 | Census subdivision outside of census metropolitan area and census agglomeration area having weak metropolitan influence |
| 7 | Census subdivision outside of census metropolitan area and census agglomeration area having no metropolitan influence |
| 8 | Census subdivision within the territories, outside of census agglomeration |
SACCODE
The Statistical Area Classification code is a three-digit code that identifies for which census metropolitan area (CMA), census agglomeration (CA) or census metropolitan influenced zone (MIZ) a census subdivision is a component . The MIZ categories, which denote the degree of influence that the CMAs and/or CAs have on these zones, are: strong (code 996), moderate (code 997), weak (code 998), no influence (code 999), or the territories (code 000) where the classification is not applicable. The following is a list of the Statistical Area Classification codes.
| SACCODE | SACCODE description |
|---|---|
| 000 | Territories, classification is not applicable |
| 001-995 | CMA or CA |
| 996 | Strong |
| 997 | Moderate |
| 998 | Weak |
| 999 | No influence |
More details can be found in the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC), volume I – Statistical Area Classification – Variants of SGC (Catalogue no. 12-571-XWE).
PCTYPE
The following is a list of the population centre types.
- 1 - Core inside of a census metropolitan area or census agglomeration
- 2 - Fringe inside of a census metropolitan area or census agglomeration
- 4 - Population centre outside of a census metropolitan area or census agglomeration
- 6 - Secondary core inside of a census metropolitan area or census agglomeration
PCCLASS
The following is a list of the population centre size classes.
- 2 - Small population centre (population 1,000 to 29,999)
- 3 - Medium population centre (population 30,000 to 99,999)
- 4 - Large urban population centre (population 100,000 or greater)
DPLTYPE
The following is a list of the types of designated places.
- CFA - Class IV area
- DMU - Dissolved municipality
- DPL - Designated place
- IRI - Indian reserve / Réserve indienne
- IST - Island trust
- LNC - Localité non constituée
- LSB - Local service board
- LSD - Local service district
- LUD - Local urban district
- MDI - Municipalité dissoute
- MDP - Municipal defined places
- MET - Métis settlement
- NCM - Northern community
- NVL - Nisga'a village
- OHM - Organized hamlet
- SE - Aboriginal settlement
- UNP - Unincorporated place
- UUC - Unincorporated urban centre
File specifications
Not applicable
Software formats
2011 Census Boundary Files are available for download from the Statistics Canada website in the following formats:
- ArcGIS® format
File extension: .shp
- Geography Markup Language version 3.1.1
File extension: .gml
- MapInfo® format
File extension: .tab
This reference guide does not provide details on specific software packages that are available for use with the 2011 Census Boundary Files. Users are advised to contact the appropriate software vendor for information.
System requirements
Not applicable
File extension and accented character information
The ArcGIS®, Geography Markup Language and MapInfo® files are compressed into WinZip® files (file extension .zip).
An XML schema file (.xsd) is included to describe and validate the structure and content of the .gml files.
Some 2011 Boundary Files contain attributes with accented characters. They were successfully tested on desktop versions of ArcGIS® 9.3.1 and MapInfo® 11.0.1.
Geographic representation
The 2011 Census Boundary Files are available on the Statistics Canada website in the following geographic representation:
- Datum: NAD83
- Coordinates: Longitude and Latitude
The North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) is an adjustment of the 1927 datum (NAD27) that reflects the higher accuracy of geodetic surveying.
The geographical coordinate system is the primary locational reference system for the earth. This system provides for the unique statement of location for features such as points, lines and polygons.
Users of 2011 Census Boundary Files can transform the files into the representation that best satisfies their needs, knowing the effects these representations have on angles, areas, distances and direction.
File naming convention
Spatial product file names follow a file naming convention. The file projection, geographic level, geographic coverage, file type, geographic reference date, software type and language are embedded within the file name. Standardizing the names of the files facilitates the storage of compressed files, all having the extension .zip.
Each file name is 13 characters in length. All alphabetic characters are in lower case to maintain consistency.
First character: projection of file
- g - projection is Geographic (latitude and longitude)
Next three characters: primary geographic level of file
- pr_ - province and territory
- fed - federal electoral district
- er_ - economic region
- cd_ - census division
- csd - census subdivision
- ccs - census consolidated subdivision
- cma - census metropolitan area and census agglomeration
- ct_ - census tract
- da_ - dissemination area
- db_ - dissemination block
- pc_ - population centre
- dpl - designated place
- hy_ - supporting hydrography (Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, oceans, etc.)
Next three numbers: geographic code of coverage
- 000 - Canada
Next character: file type
- a - digital boundary file
- b - cartographic boundary file
- c - interior lakes and rivers hydrographic reference file (polygon)
- d - interior rivers hydrographic reference file (line)
- h - hydrographic coverage of Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and surrounding oceans
Next two numbers: geographic reference date
The geographic reference date is a date determined by Statistics Canada for the purpose of finalizing the geographic framework for which 2011 Census statistical data are collected, tabulated and reported. For 2011 Census products, the geographic reference date is January 1, 2011.
- 11 - geographic reference date is 2011
Next character: file format
- a - ArcGIS® (.shp)
- g - Geography Markup Language (.gml)
- m - MapInfo® (.tab)
Final two characters: language
- _e - English
- _f - French
- Date modified: