CTHUB - Investigate Data BC Address Geo locater for CTHUB

[kcabhar]

Problem Description
Investigate Data BC Address Geo locater for CTHUB

Solution Needs

• Investigate if we can incorporate Data BC Address Geo locater for CTHUB:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/location-services/geocoder

Timebox

Outcome
Details describing the outcome of the research

• Was it successful? What direction should the work go?
• Was it unsuccessful? Discuss next steps with team

[emi-hi]

• geocoder uses physical addresess as opposed to mailing addresses and therefore does not include postal codes
• will fix typos and standardise the address
  -if the system is already making use of mailing addresses this may cause issues because the locality name might change if the address is physically in a neighbouring locality
  • For example, when searching for the address of the community hall in Metchosin, BC (4401 William Head Rd, Metchosin, BC) on Canada Post’s Find a Postal Code site the mailing address returned will list Victoria as the locality.
• BC Stats does have a license to provide a postal code geocoder (returns a list of admin boundaries that intersect the associated postal codes)

I will await the information from the business area regarding the specific needs for CTHUB

[kcabhar]

We re-visited this ticket in BR today as it is still blocked.
Action: Shaylene will connect with Jenna to discuss what's wanted from the Business Area

[shayjeff]

We met with the engineers on Feb 22, 2024, and discussed BC Stat's Geo Locator, for which our branch has a license. We are currently awaiting information on whether an API is available.

[emi-hi]

From BC Stats

We don’t have any plans for creating an API for the GCS app. We did some client engagement with the data systems services branch as part of a discussion to transfer the program over to them but I have not heard any outcomes so I believe the plan has been put on hold indefinitely.

My suggestion to increase efficiency with the current app would be to create a file with all possible BC postal codes that you can run through the GCS tool and upload the resulting file to your database which can then be linked to your other datasets.

[emi-hi]

we are waiting for direction from the business area again

[shayjeff]

BA will be reaching out to BC Stats again to ask more questions as another teams requirements have changed.