3. How to use this product

Purpose of the product
Using the 2006 Boundary Files with other boundary files
Limitations
Comparison with other products

Purpose of the product

The 2006 Digital Boundary Files portray the boundaries used for the 2006 Census collection and dissemination activities and as such often extend as straight lines into bodies of water.

The 2006 Cartographic Boundary Files support the spatial analysis and thematic mapping of data from the 2006 Census where displaying the main landmass of Canada is preferred. They can also be used with Census of Agriculture or other Statistics Canada data for data analysis and thematic mapping.

With the appropriate computer software, the boundary files provide the framework for thematic mapping to support applications such as land use and demographic studies, or social, economic and market research. Geographic identifiers permit linkage of statistical data to geographic areas depicted in the boundary files. Boundary files can also be used to create new geographic areas by aggregating standard geographic areas and for other data manipulations available with the user's software. The boundary files are positionally consistent with the 2006 Road Network File, which provides additional geographic context for mapping applications.

The cartographic boundary files were created for thematic mapping, particularly choropleth mapping of census data. The shorelines were integrated with the boundaries to enable users to easily shade the land polygons. Supplementary hydrography is also available to support the mapping of inland lakes, oceans and land outside the landmass of Canada. The cartographic boundary files include the shoreline around Canada and the shoreline of larger inland water bodies within Canada (e.g., Great Lakes).

Using 2006 Boundary Files with other boundary files

When considering using 2006 Boundary Files, one should be aware of the compatibility of these files with other similar files. Other boundary files are available for download on the Internet from other websites; however they may not be positionally compatible with Statistics Canada files.

Cartographic boundary files are recommended for thematic mapping and visualisation of census data at the more detailed levels of geography. In deciding which set of boundary files to use, one should consider what other geospatial data will be used in conjunction with the boundary files.

Limitations

The positional accuracy of the 2006 Boundary Files does not support cadastral, surveying, digitizing or engineering applications.

The data used to create the products are based on source data that had a wide range of scales. Digital and cartographic boundary files will not be precise if plotted at a larger scale than the scale of the source material used in its creation. The maps should not be used for digitizing purposes or to determine the precise location of boundaries. They are not intended to serve as a detailed legal or cadastral representation of the geographic areas.

Comparison with other products

• Any 2006 Boundary File is compatible with other 2006 Census Boundary File products.

• The 2006 Boundary Files are not compatible with the 2001 Census Boundary File products.