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

The relationship between the 1996 SGC and the 2001 SGC is shown using two concordance tables. The first table shows the relationship of the 2001 SGC to the 1996 SGC. The second table shows the relationship in the other sequence, that is, the 1996 SGC to the 2001 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 1996 CSD relates to parts of one or more 2001 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 2001 SGC – 1996 SGC presents the concordance in the order of the 2001 SGC, with the 2001 SGC code shown on the left side of the table; the table 1996 SGC – 2001 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 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 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.)

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

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

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.