Data: Canada: Geography

Statistics Canada publishes data at different levels of geography to accommodate mapping and spatial analysis.

The Illustrated Glossary explains the geographical classifications used in the 2016 Census of Population. 

University degree attainment in 2011 by census division. Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey, Geography Division, 2013.

To map data from StatCan, you need boundary files. Boundary files trace the perimeters of geographic areas, along with shorelines and lakes. Select the file that corresponds to the StatCan geography used in your dataset.

Postal code data products allow researchers to link 6-digit postal codes used by Canada Post to Census geographies used by Statistics Canada and other geographic areas such as health regions. 

• Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) from Statistics Canada
  • Links 6-digit postal codes to census geographic areas (census divisions, census tracts, etc.)
• Postal Code Conversion File Plus (PCCF+) from Statistics Canada
  • Links 6-digit postal codes to census geographic areas, health region boundaries, and other identifiers
• Postal Codes by Federal Ridings File (PCFRF) from Statistics Canada
  • Links 6-digit postal codes to federal electoral districts
• CanMap Postal Code Suite from DMTI Spatial
  • Six-Digit Postal Code File
  • Enhanced Postal Code File
  • Forward Sortation Area (FSA) Boundary File

Access note: To access postal code data, contact the GIS Librarian  

For more about finding and accessing spatial data, visit the GIS Research Guide.