Non-Geospatial Data
On your hunt for data, you may find that the data you are looking for does not exist in a GIS-ready format, such as a shapefile. Don't despair! There is a lot of other data out there that can be geocoded or linked to geospatial files. For example, this is often how people map census data - linking the data with census boundary files. So don't discount non-geospatial data! This page presents links to some major Canadian data & statistics portals, datasets, and tools, but be sure to check out the Data & Statistics Guide for much more!
Related Guides
Canada & BC: Major Data & Statistics Portals
- Government of Canada Open Data PortalThe Government of Canada's new Open Data Portal can be used to find a wide variety of Canadian data, including geospatial data.
- BC StatsBC Stats is the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia.
- Statistics Canada Socioeconomic DataSocioeconomic data tables from Statistics Canada containing numeric time series covering a wide variety of social and economic indicators.
- Canadian Census Analyser This link opens in a new windowCanadian Census Analyser features census profiles for multiple levels of geography as far back as 1961, online analysis of public use microdata files 1971- , and postal code conversion files 1996- . Note: To access this database, you will need to log in with your CWL.
- CANSIM (CANadian Socioeconomic Information Management) Database (Statistics Canada) This link opens in a new windowCANSIM is a comprehensive database from Statistics Canada containing more than 52 million numeric time series covering a wide variety of social and economic indicators.
- Census of Canada 1996-2011 (at Statistics Canada) This link opens in a new windowPublicly available tables, profiles and topic based tabulations from large areas (ie, Canada, Provinces) to mid-size regions (Census Tracts, neighbourhoods)
Canadian Cartographic Boundary Files
- Cartographic Boundary FilesCartographic Boundary Files are a series of products containing the boundaries of standard geographic areas together with the shoreline around Canada and larger inland lakes, all integrated in a single layer. They are used to map Census of Population data, and can also be used with Census of Agriculture, National Household Survey, or other Statistics Canada data.
Canadian Census Mapping Tools
- Community Information Database (CID)The Community Information Database (CID) is a free internet-based resource developed to provide communities, researchers, and governments with access to consistent and reliable socio-economic and demographic data and information for all communities across Canada.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowInternet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using Canadian and US demographic, business, and marketing data.
Geocoders and Other Geospatial Data Creation Tools
Check out these tools you can use to geocode your data or easily create GIS-ready data:
- geojson.ioUse this tool to quickly create geospatial data by drawing symbols on a map.
- Google Fusion TablesFusion Tables is an experimental data visualization web application to gather, visualize, and share data tables. Use it to geocode addresses and make maps.
Postal Code Conversion Files (PCCF & PCCF+)
The DLI (Data Liberation Initiative) provides access to the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) and the Postal Code Conversion File Plus (PCCF+). (More info) These files provide a correspondence between the Canada Post Corporation six character postal code and Statistics Canada’s standard geographical areas, e.g., dissemination areas, census tracts, and census subdivisions.
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The PCCF uses an SLI or ‘Single Link Indicator’ for matching. The single link indicator identifies the geographic area with the majority of dwellings assigned to a particular postal code.
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The PCCF+ uses population-weighted random allocation for postal codes that link to more than one geographic area.
A YouTube video produced by Jeff Moon (Queen's University) describes how to use the PCCF+ file and SAS to match your postal codes to census geography.