Postal Code Conversion File [Canada], February 1998, Census of Canada 1996

The Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) is a digital file, which provides a correspondence between the six character postal code and Statistics Canada's standard geographical areas for which census data and other statistics are produced. Through the link between postal codes and standard geographic areas, the PCCF permits the integration of data from various sources. The Single Link Indicator provides one best link for every postal code, as there are multiple records for many postal codes. To obtain the postal code conversion file or for questions, consult the DLI contact at your educational institution. The geographic co-ordinates attached to each postal code on the PCCF are commonly used to map the distribution of data for spatial analysis (e.g., clients, activities). The location information is a powerful tool for marketing, planning, or research purposes. In April 1983, the Geography Division released the first version of the Postal Code Conversion File, which linked postal codes to census geographic areas and included geographic coordinates. Since then, the file has been updated on a regular basis to reflect postal code changes provided by Canada Post Corporation. Every five years, the postal code linkages on the PCCF are “converted” to the latest census geographic areas. The original PCCF was linked to the 1981 Census geographic areas. Since then, the PCCF has undergone three “conversions”, following the 1986, 1991 and 1996 censuses. An automated system was developed for the 1991-1996 conversion. Also, for the first time, the 1996 Census reported postal codes were used to validate the PCCF links.