View the most recent version.

About this product

Preface
Symbols
Content considerations
Geographic changes
Table descriptions

Preface

This Interim List provides a summary of the changes to census subdivisions (e.g., municipal boundary changes) in effect between January 2, 2001 and January 1, 2006. This report represents the changes which have been processed by the Geography Division based on the information received and, therefore, does not include all the changes which may have occurred in this time period.

We would welcome any suggestions on the presentation of the Interim List or the planned frequency. Those users requiring more information about changes to census subdivisions should contact GEO-Help, Geography Division, Statistics Canada, Section D-2, 3rd Floor, Jean Talon Building, Ottawa, K1A 0T6, 613-951-3889.

Symbols

The following standard symbols are used in Statistics Canada publications:
.     not available for any reference period
..    not available for a specific reference period
...   not applicable
0    true zero or a value rounded to zero
0^s   value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded
^p    preliminary
^r     revised
^x    suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
^E    use with caution
F    too unreliable to be published

 

Content considerations

Notification of the changes that take place during this period are obtained from the provincial gazette and statutes, the orders of the Municipal Board, and special provincial acts.

Boundary changes are compiled from legal descriptions and accompanying sketch maps onto a digital compilation base map which is maintained by the Geography Division, using the best available information. Copies of these maps are sent for verification to the municipal authority in each province/territory on an annual basis. Any corrections or additional changes reported back to the Geography Division are represented in the subsequent issue of the Interim List as change types 8, 8C, 9 or 9C (boundary revisions).

 

Geographic changes

To calculate population adjustments to census subdivisions (CSDs)¹ affected by a boundary change, the change can be categorized at the block² level into two types:

• annexation of a complete block
• annexation of a partial (split) block (complete blocks and partial blocks can be annexed within the same boundary change).

In the case of complete blocks, the population count adjustments are made using published data counts.

In the case of partial blocks, adjusted population counts are derived using 2001 Census collection instruments (visitation records³ and collection maps) for the block part being annexed. The population for the part block not being annexed is the residual – published block population count minus the derived population count for the annexed part block.

Prior to the 1996 Census, the land area data contained in the Interim List was calculated manually using a digital planimeter for each CSD boundary change. This process was automated for the 2001 Census. As a result of this change, land area is no longer being calculated or published in the Interim List for individual changes, including those changes at the census subdivision level.

The following three text tables show CSD types by province, the number of CSD changes by type of change, and CSD type changes. The summary data reflect the transactions in effect between January 2, 2001 and January 1, 2006.

Due to a late decision to modify the abbreviations and descriptions of many CSD types, there is a difference between the official CSD types listed in the Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status, and Names and the final version of the 2006 Census Products.

 

Table descriptions

The Interim List contains two tables:

Table 1 is a bilingual table. This table presents all types of changes received to date, with 2001 population reported according to January 1, 2006 CSD limits.

Table 2 is a bilingual table. This table presents only changes that impact on the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC)⁴ and therefore excludes annexations and boundary revisions. The changes are listed in SGC code order.

An important reference for users of the Interim List is the Standard Geographical Classification manual. It is composed of:
Volume I (The Classification) - Catalogue 12-571-XPB

Volume II (Reference Maps) - Catalogue 12-572-XPB.

---

Notes

1. Census subdivision (CSD): This is a term applying to municipalities (as determined by provincial legislation) or their equivalents (e.g., Indian reserves, Indian settlements). In Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and British Columbia, census subdivisions have been created by Statistics Canada, in cooperation with the provinces, as equivalents for municipalities.

2. A block is an area bounded on all sides by roads and/or boundaries of standard geographic areas.

3. Visitation record is a registry of dwellings enumerated and records the block in which they are located. It includes a count of the occupants in the dwelling.

4. The Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) is Statistics Canada's official classification of geographic areas in Canada. The SGC provides unique numeric identification for three types of geographic areas. They are: provinces/territories; census divisions; and census subdivisions. The three geographic areas are hierarchically related. This relationship is reflected in the seven-digit code.