The aggregate dissemination area (ADA): a new census dissemination geographic area

In preparation for the 2016 Census, Statistics Canada has created a new sub-provincial census dissemination geography called 'aggregate dissemination area' (ADA). The intent of the ADA geography is to ensure the availability of census data, where possible, across all regions of Canada.

The delineation criteria – the creation of an initial set of boundaries

The following are delineation criteria used to delineate the 2016 aggregate dissemination areas (ADA):

• The ADAs cover the entire country and, where possible, have a population count between 5,000 and 15,000 people.  In order to permit stakeholder consultation and meet the operational constraint of releasing population and dwelling counts for ADAs in the winter following the census year, the population counts used to delineate ADAs are taken from the previous census (2011).
• ADAs respect provincial, territorial, census division (CD), census metropolitan area (CMA) and census agglomeration (CA) with census tract (CT) boundaries in effect for the 2016 Census.
• ADAs are based on one of three (3) existing 2016 census dissemination geographic areas: census tracts (CTs), Census subdivisions (CSDs) or dissemination areas (DAs):
  • Within CMAs and CAs with CTs, adjacent CTs are grouped to meet the ADA population criteria. 
  • In areas without CTs (areas outside the CMAs and the largest CAs), where CSDs have a population less than 15,000, adjacent CSDs are grouped to meet the ADA population criteria. 
  • In areas without CTs, where CSDs have a population greater than 15,000, adjacent DAs are grouped within these CSDs to meet the ADA population criteria.
• Each Indian reserve 2016 CSD and a small number of other areas where door-to-door canvassing occurred form their own separate ADA.

For more information on all of the 2016 Census dissemination geographic areas, refer to the 2016 Census Dictionary.

Stakeholder consultation – informing and involving stakeholders, ensuring relevance and the final ADA boundaries for the 2016 Census

Between June and October 2015, key provincial, territorial and municipal stakeholders were invited to review and to provide feedback on an initial set of ADA boundaries.

Most of the proposed boundary adjustments received from the participating stakeholders were integrated into the final set of ADA boundaries.  ADA boundaries were also adjusted to account for all final updates to the geographic areas used to form ADA boundaries for the 2016 Census: namely the final 2016 census tracts (CTs), census subdivisions (CSDs) and dissemination areas (DAs) (see Table 1).

Where can I obtain the 2016 ADA boundary file?

To download the final 2016 aggregate dissemination area (ADA) boundaries, refer to 2016 Census Boundary files.

Where can I view and download the 2016 aggregate dissemination area (ADA) reference maps?

To view 2016 ADA reference map series, refer to Aggregate Dissemination Area (ADA) Reference Maps, 2016.

How do the ADAs fit into the 2016 hierarchy of standard geographic areas for dissemination?

To view the 2016 Census hierarchy of standard geographic areas, refer to the 2016 Census Dictionary.