Postal Code Conversion File [Canada], June 2001, Census of Canada 1996

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. 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 and 1996 censuses. An automated system was used for the 1991-1996 conversion. Also, for the first time, the 1996 Census reported postal codes were used to validate the PCCF links. To obtain the postal code conversion file or for questions, consult the DLI contact at your educational institution.

邮政编码转换文件 (Postal Code Conversion File, PCCF) 是一份数字文件，用于建立加拿大邮政公司 (Canada Post Corporation, CPC) 六位字符邮政编码与加拿大统计局 (Statistics Canada) 标准地理区域的对应关系——这些标准地理区域正是普查数据及其他统计数据的产出载体。通过邮政编码与标准地理区域的关联，该文件可实现多源数据的整合。
单链接指示器 (Single Link Indicator) 可为每个邮政编码提供一条最优关联记录，因多数邮政编码对应多条记录。该文件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图谱以开展空间分析（如客户分布、活动布局分析）。此类位置信息可作为规划与研究工作的强力工具。
1983年4月，加拿大统计局地理司 (Geography Division) 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，该文件会定期更新，以适配加拿大邮政公司提供的邮政编码变更信息。每五年，该文件中的邮政编码关联关系会被“转换”至最新的普查地理区域标准。
初始版本的邮政编码转换文件关联的是1981年普查的地理区域。自此之后，该文件已完成四次“转换更新”，分别适配1986年、1991年及1996年的普查地理区域标准。1991年至1996年的转换更新工作采用了自动化系统。此外，1996年普查上报的邮政编码首次被用于验证该文件的关联关系。
若需获取该邮政编码转换文件或有相关疑问，请联系所在教育机构的DLI对接人。