The Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) is a system maintained by Statistics Canada for categorizing and enumerating the census geographic units of Canada. Each geographic area receives a unique numeric code ranging from one to seven digits, which extend telescopically to refer to increasingly small areas. This geocode is roughly analogous to the ONS coding system in use in the United Kingdom.
The SGC code format for regions is, where X is a unique identifier incrementing from east to west, then north.
Quebec
Ontario
British Columbia
The SGC code format for provinces and territories is, whereX is the above regional prefix, and Y is a further identifier incrementing from east to west. Taken as a single digit, each value of Y is unique within the province group, or unique within the territory group.
The SGC code format for census divisions is, where XX is the above province/territory code, and YY is the census division's code, unique within its own province. Census divisions are generally numbered from east to west. In some locations, a similar policy to American FIPS county codes has been adopted, with even-numbered slots being left vacant for future expansion.
Examples:
Division No. 4, Newfoundland and Labrador
Division No. 5, Newfoundland and Labrador
Northumberland County, New Brunswick
Les Moulins Regional County Municipality, Quebec
Territoire équivalent of Laval, Quebec
Territoire équivalent of Montreal, Quebec
Roussillon Regional County Municipality, Quebec
Les Jardins-de-Napierville Regional County Municipality, Quebec
Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario
[vacant slot]
Frontenac Census Division, Ontario
Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia
[vacant slot]
Regional District of Central Kootenay, British Columbia
[vacant slot]
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, British Columbia
The SGC code format for census subdivisions is, where XX is the province/territory code, YY is the census division code, and ZZZ is the census subdivision's code, unique within its own census division. Census subdivisions are again generally numbered from east to west, and the practice has been to leave even-numbered slots vacant for future expansion.
Examples:
[vacant slot]
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario
[vacant slot]
[vacant slot]
[vacant slot]
[vacant slot]