Build methodology

The Canada Postal Points File is created using inputs from the Canada Post Corporation and TomTom.

Address information from the Canada Post Corporation consists of postal codes and their corresponding address ranges. These addresses are geocoded using TomTom MultiNet® North America, to place points at street-level precision nearest to the geocoded Canada Post Corporation address(es). These centroids represent the single most representative point for each postal code in each Dissemination Area served by a postal code.

Dissemination Area (DA) codes are assigned to all geocoded postal codes by Precisely.

Postal codes in the Canada Postal Points File are linked with all levels of standard census geography. This is accomplished by establishing a link between the 6-character postal code (FSALDU) and the Dissemination Area (DA). The DA polygon is the lowest level of census geography. Once a link is made between the DA and the FSALDU, all other levels of census geography can be determined.

Precisely further enhances postal codes that were street-coded, or that are block and/or FSA centroids.

Note: The address associated with a postal code does not always represent the location of the individual or individuals receiving mail using that postal code. This is particularly true in rural areas, where rural route service and post office pickup are common delivery methods. In the Canada Postal Points File, these types of delivery are indicated by a DMT (Delivery Method Type) of H. Similarly, postal codes with a DMT of K (a group of post office boxes) or M (a single post office box) are generally linked to the location of a post office and not to the physical location of the customer renting the post office box.

Build methodology - Latest

Canadian Postal Products Product Guide