MIZ Question

Question

Silly question of the day - where can I find the MIZ designations? I have a researcher who wants to use this data in relation to agricultural output. I can find the definitions and how it can be used but for the life of me I cannot find any data in relation to the MIZ.

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Answer

The 2006 Census Illustrated Glossary provides a helpful overview of the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) concept:

"The census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) is a concept that geographically differentiates the area of Canada outside census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs). Census subdivisions outside CMAs and CAs are assigned to one of four categories according to the degree of influence (strong, moderate, weak or no influence) that the CMAs and/or CAs have on them.

Census subdivisions (CSDs) are assigned to a MIZ category based on the percentage of their resident employed labour force that has a place of work in the urban core(s) of CMAs or CAs. CSDs with the same degree of influence tend to be clustered. They form zones around CMAs and CAs that progress through the categories from 'strong' to 'no' influence as distance from the CMAs and CAs increases." ( http://geodepot.statcan.ca/2006/180506051805140305/03150707/12151407_181905_05-eng.jsp?REFCODE=10&LANG=E&FILENAME=MetropolitanInfluencedZones&TYPE=L).

The Statistical Area Classification (SAC) "groups census subdivisions according to whether they are a component of a census metropolitan area, a census agglomeration, a census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (strong MIZ, moderate MIZ, weak MIZ or no MIZ), or the territories (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)." (http://geodepot.statcan.ca/2006/180506051805140305/03150707/12151407_181905_05-eng.jsp?REFCODE=10&LANG=E&FILENAME=StatisticalAreaClassification&TYPE=L)

GeoSuite can be used to generate a list of CSDs and their SAC type.

There are also SAC variables in the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF). These are described in the PCCF Reference Guide (see: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92-153-g/2011001/tech-eng.htm)

The Profile for Statistical Area Classification, 2006 Census provides SAC related data (including MIZ) but I suspect that this profile may not be relevant for the project below: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/sac/Ap-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=98628&PRID=0&PTYPE=89103&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&THEME=81&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=

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