How to Read the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) Concordance Tables

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The relationship between the 1991 SGC and the 1996 SGC is shown using two concordance tables. The first table shows the relationship of the 1996 SGC to the 1991 SGC. The second table shows the relationship in the other sequence, that is, the 1991 SGC to the 1996 SGC. The two tables, taken together, provide a cross-reference of the relationships between the two classifications.

The concordance tables are shown at the lowest level of both classifications, namely the census subdivisions (municipalities). These tables highlight the differences between the census subdivisions (CSDs) of the two classifications, information that is useful when converting data from one classification to the other. (Note that to make the tables simpler the concordance tables are partial. Most of the CSDs have been omitted from these tables whether there was not any change affecting those CSDs or whether the change did not have a direct impact upon the SGC, for example, a partial annexation, and a boundary or population revision of CSDs).

The changes affecting CSDs have been grouped into three categories under the remark column. The first category: Changed to indicates that the name, status, and/or code of a CSD have been changed. The second category: Part of relates one CSD on the left side of the table to only part of a CSD on the right. The third category Equivalent to shows (1) a "one to one" relationship where the CSD on the left is equivalent to one full CSD on the right, (2) a "one to many" relationship: a CSD on the left is equivalent to two or more CSDs (full CSDs and/or part of CSDs) on the right. When one 1991 CSD relates to parts of one or more 1996 CSDs, and vice versa, an asterisk is used to indicate that only a part of the CSD relates to the one against which it is shown.

The concordance is presented in the form of tables arranged in the sequence of each classification. The table 1996 SGC – 1991 SGC presents the concordance in the order of the 1996 SGC, with the 1996 SGC code shown on the left side of the table; the table 1991 SGC – 1996 SGC presents the concordance in the order of the 1991 SGC, with the 1991 SGC code shown on the left side of the table. The illustrative examples below were taken from these two tables, respectively.

Example 1:
the CSDs in both classifications are identical, only the name, status and/or code have changed.

Example 1-a, the Census Subdivisions in both classifications are identical, only the name, status and/or code have changed.
1996 SGC Remark 1991 SGC
1004021 Port au Port East [Community] Changed to 1004021 Berry Head, Port au Port [Community]
1305007 Hampton [Town] Changed to 1305007 Hampton [Village]
2461027 Saint-Thomas [Municipalité] Changed to 2452025 Saint-Thomas [Paroisse (municipalité de)]
3537034 LaSalle [Town] Changed to 3537034 Sandwich West [Township]
Example 1-b, the Census Subdivisions in both classifications are identical, only the name, status and/or code have changed.
1991 SGC Remark 1996 SGC
1004021 Berry Head, Port au Port [Community] Changed to 1004021 Port au Port East [Community]
1305007 Hampton [Village] Changed to 1305007 Hampton [Town]
2452025 Saint-Thomas [Paroisse (municipalité de)] Changed to 2461027 Saint-Thomas [Municipalité]
3537034 Sandwich West [Township] Changed to 3537034 LaSalle [Town]

Example 2:
A CSD in one classification is equivalent to part of a CSD in the other classification.

When the concordance relates one CSD on the left to only part of a CSD on the right, this partial relationship is denoted by an asterisk against the code on the right. (Note that the asterisk marked CSD will reappear, against all the CSDs, to which it partially relates.)

Example 2-a: A Census Subdivision in one classification is equivalent to part of a Census Subdivision in the other classification.
1996 SGC Remark 1991 SGC
4815033 Jasper [Improvement district] Part of 4815037 * Improvement District No. 12 [Improvement district]
Example 2-b: A Census Subdivision in one classification is equivalent to part of a Census Subdivision in the other classification.
1991 SGC Remark 1996 SGC
5911014 Matsqui [District municipality] Part of 5909052* Abbotsford [City]

A CSD in one classification is linked to only one CSD in the other classification.

Example 3-a: A Census Subdivision in one classification is linked to only one CSD in the other classification.
1996 SGC Remark 1991 SGC
1103005 Borden-Carleton [Community] Equivalent to 1103004 Borden [Town]
Example 3-b: A Census Subdivision in one classification is linked to only one CSD in the other classification.
1991 SGC Remark 1996 SGC
1103004 Borden [Town] Equivalent to 1103005 Borden-Carleton [Community]

A CSD in one classification is linked to more than one CSD in the other classification.

Example 4-a: A Census Subdivision in one classification is linked to more than one Census Subdivision in the other classification.
1996 SGC Remark 1991 SGC
2445043 Hatley [Municipalité] Equivalent to 2445040 Hatley [Village]
2445045 Hatley-Partie-Ouest [Canton (municipalité de)]
Example 4-b: A Census Subdivision in one classification is linked to more than one Census Subdivision in the other classification.
1991 SGC Remark 1996 SGC
4815003 Improvement District No. 6 [Improvement district] Equivalent to 4803011 * Pincher Creek No. 9 [Municipal district]
4815007 * Crowsnest Pass [Town]
4815045 Ranchland No. 66 [Municipal district]

How to find partial relationships in the concordances

The various components of a given CSD in one classification are sometimes found in CSDs that are quite distant from one another in the order and format of the other classification. In example four above, the 1996 SGC code 4803011* is partially related to 1991 SGC code 4815003. To find the remaining 1991 SGC code(s), to which 1996 SGC 4803011 relates, the user should turn to the other concordance table, where the CSDs are arranged in the 1996 SGC order. The user will find that the 1991 SGC code 4803011 is also related to the 1996 SGC code 4803011.

Users are cautioned that data coded to one classification cannot automatically be converted to the other with the help of these concordance tables.

In addition to the contents of these tables, the other changes such as partial annexations, and boundary and population revisions which are not shown here should be considered by users interested in the exact boundaries and population counts of CSDs. This information is available in the "Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status and Names" prepared by Geography Division.

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