Postal Code Conversion File Plus [Canada], Version 4H, March 2006, Census of Canada 2001

<p>The PCCF+ is a SAS© control program and set of associated datasets derived from the PCCF, a 2001 postal code<sup>OM</sup> population weight file, the Geographic Attribute File, Health Region boundary files, and other supplementary data. PCCF+ automatically assigns a range of Statistics Canada standard geographic areas and other geographic identifiers based on postal codes<sup>OM</sup>.</p>
<p>PCCF+ differs from the PCCF in that it:</p>
<ul>
<li>Uses population-weighted random allocation for many postal codes<sup>OM</sup> that link to more than one geographic area.</li>
<li>Options are available for institutional postal codes<sup>OM</sup>.</li>
<li>Procedures are included to link partial postal codes<sup>OM</sup> to geographic identifiers where possible.</li>
<li>Problem records and diagnostics are provided in the program output, along with reference information for possible solutions.</li>
</ul>
<p>The geographic coordinates, which represent the standard geostatistical areas linked to each postal codes<sup>OM</sup> on the PCCF, are commonly used to map the distribution of data for spatial analysis (e.g., clients, activities). In April 1983, the Geography Division released the first version of the PCCF, which linked postal codes to 1981 census geographic areas and included geographic coordinates. PCCF+ was first created using the 1986 census and has been updated regularly with population weight files calculated for each census from 1991 through 2001.</p>
<p>The purpose of the PCCF+ is to provide a link between six-character postal codes<sup>OM</sup> produced by the Canada Post Corporation (CPC), standard 2001 Census geographic areas (such as dissemination areas, census subdivisions, and census tracts) produced by Statistics Canada, and supplementary administrative areas and neighbourhood income quintiles. Postal codes<sup>OM</sup> do not respect census geographic boundaries and so may be linked to more than one standard geographic area, or assigned to more than one set of coordinates. Therefore, one postal code<sup>OM</sup> may be represented by more than one record. The PCCF product, produced by Statistics Canada, provides links between postal codes and all recorded matches to census geography. PCCF+ uses the PCCF but provides additional functionality in that it uses a population-weighted matching process for some residential postal codes<sup>OM</sup> where more than one geographic code is possible. PCCF+ also provides routines for institutional postal codes<sup>OM</sup> and for historic postal codes<sup>OM</sup>. The purpose of this product is <i>not</i> to validate postal codes<sup>OM</sup> or the PCCF.</p>