I'm in the process of replying to a non-UNB person to let her know that she cannot obtain a copy of the PCCF from us; however, when I went to the PCCF catalogue page, I see that the June 2017 version, issued on Dec. 13, 2017, is listed as the last one available from Statistics Canada. The status is listed as discontinued, and the note says [their bolding]: This product has been discontinued as of February 2018. The last issue of this publication was a December 2017 update. Canada Post Corporation will assume the distribution of this product, and its guide, in the future.
So my questions are what are the implications for DLI access to this product, and was there some announcement that I missed?
Further to my message, I notice that the note for the PCCF+ indicates that it will be available from Canada Post and through the DLI. While I do like the fact that I now know we'll still be getting licensed copies, I'm wondering if there shouldn't be the hyper link on Canada Post on the PCCF+ page like there is on the PCCF page, and if there shouldn't be an additional comment preceding DLI. For example (emphasis mine): "PCCF+ will be available via Canada Post and the Data Liberation Initiative (for authorized users within DLI institutions)." Or some such thing.
Answer:
Yes, you are correct. Although Canada Post has assumed the distribution of this product, a copy of the PCCF will continue to be distributed by the DLI for researchers that fall under the parameters of our End-User Licence Agreement found in Appendix II of the Licence Agreement. We will pass your website recommendation on to our management.
Follow Up Questions:
1. One more question I have is whether my researcher can contact StatCan for the June 2017 version (issued Dec. 2017), as seems to be indicated on the PCCF page, or if she'd need to contact Canada Post. According to the note I mentioned in my first (of accidentally many) messages, versions of the PCCF after Feb. 2018 must be obtained from Canada Post; however, when you click on the "More information" link beside the three more recent versions listed on the page, there's no "contact us" link (or any further information, for that matter).
Could you check and let me know what the situation is with this? I can give the researcher the general contact info for StatCan as needed, but I wanted to double check to see if the above situation was just a typo or intentional.
2. We just got a request for PCCF plus. It says on this page that the product has been discontinued as of Feb. 2018. Is this correct?
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/82F0086X
Answer:
We have confirmed that the DLI will continue to be provided with the PCCF, PCFRF and PCCF+ files for usage under the parameters of our End-User Licence Agreement found in Appendix II of the Licence Agreement.
Please note that the Statistics Canada catalogue (the PCCF and PCCF+ webpages referenced below) will no longer provide information on the latest release. As such, the DLI program will work towards including the PCCF, PCFRF and PCCF+ in their list of available products for your referencing.
Follow Up Question:
Thank you for your updates about distribution. I noticed that the statement for the PCCF and the PCRFR in the STC catalogue simply states:
Canada Post Corporation will assume the distribution of this product, and its guide, in the future.
Whereas the note for the PCCF Plus is:
PCCF+ will be available via Canada Post and the Data Liberation Initiative.
Do you have a sense of what this will mean for user support for DLI contacts? Will Health Geography and the Geography Division at Statistics Canada still be involved for the three postal code products?
Just a last question, is it desirable for the statements for the three products to be more consistent re: DLI?
Answer:
We have made subject matter aware of the confusion caused by the wording on the PCCF, PCRFR and PCCF+ Statistics Canada catalogue pages. I agree that is it currently a little confusing. However, since the PCCF, PCFRF and PCCF+ files are separate from the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement and since the DLI grants access to these files through its own licence agreement, please reference the DLI collection webpage for the most up to date information on the availability of these products. We are actively working towards listing these files on our all DLI products page.
The subject matter area internally responsible for these files has an agreement with Canada Post and will continue to be involved in the production of these files. For the purposes of the DLI, the PCCF, PCFRF and PCCF+ files, and any associated support we provide will continue to be unaffected.
