Postal Code Conversion File [Canada], June 2003, Census of Canada 2001

The Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) is a digital file which provides a correspondence between the Canada Post Corporation (CPC) six-character postal code and Statistics Canada's standard geographic 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 coordinates 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 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 Postal Code Conversion File are “converted” to the latest census geographic areas. The original Postal Code Conversion File was linked to the 1981 Census geographic areas. Since then, the Postal Code Conversion File has undergone four “conversions”, following the 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses. A revised automated system was used for the 1996-2001 conversion. The 2001 Census postal codes reported by respondents were used to validate the Postal Code Conversion File links.

邮政编码转换文件（Postal Code Conversion File, PCCF）是一种数字文件，用于建立加拿大邮政公司（Canada Post Corporation, CPC）6位字符邮政编码与加拿大统计局标准地理区域之间的对应关系，而这些地理区域正是普查数据及其他统计数据的产出载体。借助邮政编码与标准地理区域之间的关联关系，PCCF可实现多源数据的整合。由于多数邮政编码对应多条记录，单链路标识（Single Link Indicator）可为每个邮政编码提供一条最优关联关系。若需获取本邮政编码转换文件或有相关疑问，请联系您所在教育机构的DLI联络人。PCCF中绑定至每个邮政编码的地理坐标，常被用于绘制数据分布地图以开展空间分析（如针对客户群体、业务活动的分析）。此类位置信息可作为规划与研究工作中的强力工具。1983年4月，加拿大统计局地理司发布了首个版本的邮政编码转换文件，该版本实现了邮政编码与普查地理区域的关联，并纳入了地理坐标信息。自此之后，该文件会根据加拿大邮政公司提供的邮政编码变更信息定期更新。每五年，PCCF中的邮政编码关联关系会被“转换适配”至最新版的普查地理区域标准。初始版本的PCCF关联的是1981年普查的地理区域。此后，针对1986年、1991年、1996年及2001年四次普查，PCCF先后完成了四次“转换适配”。1996至2001年的转换适配工作采用了经优化升级的自动化系统。研究人员采用受访者上报的2001年普查邮政编码，对PCCF的邮政编码关联关系进行了有效性验证。