Archived - How to read the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) concordance tables (SGC 1996 et SGC 1991)

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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 SGCRemark1991 SGC
1004021Port au Port East [Community]Changed to1004021Berry Head, Port au Port [Community]
1305007Hampton [Town]Changed to1305007Hampton [Village]
2461027Saint-Thomas [Municipalité]Changed to2452025Saint-Thomas [Paroisse (municipalité de)]
3537034LaSalle [Town]Changed to3537034Sandwich West [Township]
Example 1-b, the Census Subdivisions in both classifications are identical, only the name, status and/or code have changed.
1991 SGCRemark1996 SGC
1004021Berry Head, Port au Port [Community]Changed to1004021Port au Port East [Community]
1305007Hampton [Village]Changed to1305007Hampton [Town]
2452025Saint-Thomas [Paroisse (municipalité de)]Changed to2461027Saint-Thomas [Municipalité]
3537034Sandwich West [Township]Changed to3537034LaSalle [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 SGCRemark1991 SGC
4815033Jasper [Improvement district]Part of4815037 *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 SGCRemark1996 SGC
5911014Matsqui [District municipality]Part of5909052*Abbotsford [City]

Example 3:
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 SGCRemark1991 SGC
1103005Borden-Carleton [Community]Equivalent to1103004Borden [Town]
Example 3-b: A Census Subdivision in one classification is linked to only one CSD in the other classification.
1991 SGCRemark1996 SGC
1103004Borden [Town]Equivalent to1103005Borden-Carleton [Community]

Example 4:
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 SGCRemark1991 SGC
2445043Hatley [Municipalité]Equivalent to2445040Hatley [Village]
2445045Hatley-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 SGCRemark1996 SGC
4815003Improvement District No. 6 [Improvement district]Equivalent to4803011 *Pincher Creek No. 9 [Municipal district]
4815007 *Crowsnest Pass [Town]
4815045Ranchland 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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