The coastal file was created by selecting a subset of hydrographic features which represent the coastal water bodies surrounding the land area of Canada for use with the suite of cartographic boundary files.

The 2016 Census Boundary Files provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis. They are available for download in two types: cartographic and digital. Cartographic boundary files depict the geographic areas using only the shorelines of the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. Digital boundary files depict the full extent of the geographic areas, including the coastal water area. Figure 2.1 illustrates an example of cartographic and digital boundary files.

The 2016 Census Boundary Files are similar to the 2011 Census Boundary Files in format. Each boundary file includes the unique identifiers, names and types (where applicable) of all higher level geographic areas available at time of release.

• Census of Population
• Geographic Areas
• Geographic Information Systems
• Geographic data
• Mapping
• Reference Maps

Open Government Licence - Canada (https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada)

The purpose of the 2016 Census Boundary Files is to provide a framework for mapping to support Geographic Information System (GIS) applications used for land use and demographic studies, or social, economic and market research. Geographic identifiers permit linkage of statistical data to geographic areas depicted in the boundary files. Boundary files can also be used to create new geographic areas by combining standard geographic areas. The boundary files are positionally consistent with the 2016 Census Road Network File, which provides additional reference for geographic context for mapping applications.

StatsCan source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/bound-limit/bound-limit-2016-eng.cfm/

The 2016 Census Boundary Files depict boundaries of standard geographic areas established for the purpose of disseminating census data. See Figure 1.1 Hierarchy of standard geographic areas for dissemination, 2016 Census (http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/dict/figures/f1_1-eng.cfm) from the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016.

The hydrographic reference layers are provided to allow for the mapping of inland water, oceans, Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. The hydrographic layers were created to be used in conjunction with the boundary files. The record layout in Table 4.17 below is for interior water (polygons), coastal water bodies (polygons) and interior rivers (lines).