Canadian motion picture rating systems

{{Short description|Film ratings in Canada}} {{TOC right}} Motion picture ratings in Canada are mostly a provincial responsibility, and each province has its own legislation regarding exhibition and admission. For home video purposes, a single Canadian Home Video Rating System rating consisting of an average of the participating provincial ratings is displayed on retail packages, although various provinces may have rules on display and sale, especially for the R and A categories.

There are currently four film classification offices rating commercially released movies in Canada, each an agency of a provincial government: * British Columbia Film Classification Office, a division of Consumer Protection BC,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-07-01|title=FILM CLASSIFICATION MOVES TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY|url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2005-2009/2007pssg0053-000876.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-26|website=archive.news.gov.bc.ca|publisher=Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107175340/https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2005-2009/2007pssg0053-000876.htm |archive-date=2021-01-07 }}</ref> provides ratings for British Columbia, Manitoba, and formerly Saskatchewan. * Alberta Film Classification provides ratings for Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Film Ratings|url=https://www.mpa-canada.org/film-ratings/|website=www.mpa-canada.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407070437/https://www.mpa-canada.org/film-ratings/ |archive-date=2019-04-07 |access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> *Ministère de la Culture et des Communications provides ratings for Quebec (Formerly by Régie du cinéma du Québec). * Maritime Film Classification Board, run by the Nova Scotia Alcohol & Gaming Authority, provides ratings for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and is used voluntarily in Newfoundland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/ratings_classification_systems/film_classification/nfld_film_classification.cfm |title=Newfoundland and Labrador Film Classification |publisher=Media Awareness Network |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-date=2007-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218190750/http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/ratings_classification_systems/film_classification/nfld_film_classification.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The province of Saskatchewan retained its own classification board, Saskatchewan Film Classification, but it has used ratings provided by British Columbia since 1997 for almost all commercially distributed films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan|url=https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/regulated-businesses-persons/businesses/film-and-or-video-exhibitor-distributor-or-retailer/general-information|website=fcaa.gov.sk.ca|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> Similarly, the Manitoba Film Classification Board was dissolved in 2018, and the province now uses the ratings assigned by British Columbia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Province of Manitoba {{!}} Sport, Culture, and Heritage {{!}} Manitoba Film Classification Board|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/mfcb/history.html|website=www.gov.mb.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26|archive-date=2020-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018102232/https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/mfcb/history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Consumer Protection BC will be classifying films for the province of Manitoba|url=https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/news/consumer-protection-bc-will-be-classifying-films-for-the-province-of-manitoba/|website=Consumer Protection BC|language=en-CA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815135907/https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/news/consumer-protection-bc-will-be-classifying-films-for-the-province-of-manitoba/|archive-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> Film distributors pay additional fees to Consumer Protection BC for certification in other provinces; they can also pay for certification in one or more provinces if they do not plan on distributing their film in British Columbia, although films to be shown only in Saskatchewan are still rated by that province's film classification office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Distributing to other provinces|url=https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/motion-picture-ratings/distributing-to-other-provinces/|website=Consumer Protection BC|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>

Yukon does not have a compulsory rating system; the two Landmark Cinemas commercial theatres in Whitehorse "assign the average of film classification for Canada."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Landmark Cinemas Film Ratings|url=https://www.landmarkcinemas.com/film-ratings/|website=Landmark Cinemas|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> The Ontario Film Review Board was abolished in September 2019 as part of cuts by the Doug Ford government; the province temporarily entered into an agreement with British Columbia to use its ratings in the interim while a "modernized" framework was developed by the provincial government. The ''Film Content Information Act, 2020'' subsequently abolished the requirement for films exhibited at cinemas to receive a formal classification, instead placing the responsibility on exhibitors to provide and display their own ratings information "to support informed viewing choices".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ford government to axe Ontario’s film ratings board {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5962345/ford-government-ontario-film-authority/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ontario to change movie rating system and abolish PG and R classifications |url=https://www.blogto.com/film/2020/11/ontario-change-movie-rating-system-abolish-pg-r-classifications/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=BlogTO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Film content information in Ontario |url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/film-content-information-ontario |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Government of Ontario |date=8 June 2021 }}</ref> Saskatchewan adopted a nearly identical bill in 2024, which took effect on April 1, 2026.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-03-29 |title=Sask. scraps age-based ratings and mandatory classification for movies |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-scraps-age-based-ratings-mandatory-classification-movies-9.7144762 |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Film Content Information Requirements in Saskatchewan – Effective April 1, 2026 |url=https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/regulated-businesses-persons/businesses/film-content-information-act/general-information |access-date=2026-04-10 |publisher=Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan}}</ref> ==Canadian ratings except Quebec==  {{multiple image|perrow=6| caption_align = center|header_align = center | width = 50 | image1 = Canadian Film Rating G.svg | alt1 = G | image2 = Canadian Film Rating PG.svg | alt2 = PG | image3 = Canadian Film Rating 14A.svg | alt3 = 14A | image4 = Canadian Film Rating 18A.svg | alt4 = 18A | image5 = Canadian Film Rating R.svg | alt5 = R | image6 = Canadian Film Rating A.svg | alt6 = A | footer = General Canadian Ratings }} In the past there was a wide range of rating categories and practices in the various provinces. However, the five rating systems outside Quebec now all use categories and logos derived from the Canadian Home Video Rating System.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/albertafilmratings/movie_ratings_guide/ |title=Alberta Film Ratings |publisher=Alberta Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture |access-date=2007-12-01 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcfilmclass.com/categories/ |title=classification categories |work=BC Film Classification |publisher=Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111000852/http://www.bcfilmclass.com/categories/ |archive-date=2007-11-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/mfcb/class.html |title=Film and Video Ratings |publisher=Manitoba Film Classification Board |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-date=2014-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523034926/https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/mfcb/class.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/agd/film/ratingguidelines.asp |title=Rating Guidelines |publisher=Nova Scotia Ministry of Environment and Labour, Alcohol & Gaming Division |date=2005-08-02 |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225204129/http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/agd/film/ratingguidelines.asp |archive-date=2007-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ofrb.gov.on.ca/english/page6.htm |title=Classification Categories and Content Advisories |publisher=Ontario Film Review Board |date=2007-11-06 |access-date=2007-12-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027035131/http://www.ofrb.gov.on.ca/english/page6.htm |archive-date=2007-10-27 }}</ref> In general, the categories are:

* '''G''' – '''General''' – Suitable for all ages. * '''PG''' – '''Parental Guidance''' – Parental guidance advised. There is no age restriction but some material may not be suitable for all children. * '''14A''' – '''14 Accompaniment''' – Persons under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. * '''18A''' – '''18 Accompaniment''' – Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, admittance restricted to people 14 years of age or older in the Maritimes and Manitoba. * '''R''' – '''Restricted''' – Admittance restricted to people 18 years of age or older. * '''A''' – '''Adult''' – Admittance restricted to people 18 years of age or older. Sole purpose of the film is the portrayal of sexually explicit activity and/or explicit violence. In Alberta, the A category is used only for sexually explicit products. Manitoba does not have this category, and instead uses a barcode labelling system for adult home video products. In British Columbia, the A symbol is a red octagon rather than a blue diamond.

This system was adopted by Alberta and British Columbia in 1997, Manitoba in 2003 and the Maritimes in 2005.

There is also a common stock of Information Pieces ("Frightening Scenes", "Coarse Language", etc.),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmpda.ca/jsp/v-information.jsp |title=The 15 Information Pieces & Definitions |publisher=CMPDA |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121145538/http://www.cmpda.ca/jsp/v-information.jsp |archive-date=2007-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> although different boards may have additional qualifiers.

Each board is responsible for assigning a rating to films, and while most movies will likely obtain the same rating, there can be differences. For instance, the 2006 film ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning'' was rated 18A in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, while Manitoba and the Maritimes gave the film an R, and Quebec gave the film a 16+. Also, 2016's ''Deadpool'' was rated 14A in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, yet rated 18A in Ontario and Manitoba; 2018's ''Deadpool 2'' was rated 18A in Ontario and British Columbia, yet 14A in Alberta and Manitoba. All of these films were R in the USA.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Canada also receives a great deal of American advertising that features MPA film ratings. These ratings do not have any legal effect; however, they are typically similar to those applied by Canadian classification bodies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan|url=https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/regulated-businesses-persons/businesses/film-and-or-video-exhibitor-distributor-or-retailer/film-classifications|website=fcaa.gov.sk.ca|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>

==Quebec system==  {{further|Régie du cinéma (Quebec)}} {{multiple image | caption_align = center | header_align = center | width = 50 | image1 = Quebec Rating G.svg | alt1 = G | image2 = Quebec Rating 13.svg | alt2 = 13+ | image3 = Quebec Rating 16.svg | alt3 = 16+ | image4 = Quebec Rating 18.svg | alt4 = 18+ | footer = ''Régie du cinéma'' Ratings Labels. }}

In Quebec, the ''Régie du cinéma'' rates all films and videos. The Régie is a governmental agency overseen by the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications. Its purview devolves from the ''Cinema Act'' (CQLR c. C-18.1). The same classifications are used for television broadcasts.

The ratings and their optional complementary indications are as follows:<ref name="rcq">{{cite web |url=http://www.rcq.qc.ca/mult/process.asp?lng=en |title=Régie du cinéma, Classification Process |access-date=2008-12-24 |date=2007-12-17 |publisher=Gouvernement du Québec |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212120237/http://www.rcq.qc.ca/mult/process.asp?lng=en |archive-date=2007-12-12 }}</ref> *    '''G'''    '''Visa général''' (General Rating): May be viewed, rented or purchased by people of all ages. *:G-rated content that may not be suitable for children under eight is denoted with {{lang|fr|Déconseillé aux jeunes enfants}} (Not suitable for young children). *  '''13+'''  '''13 ans et plus''' (13 years and over): May be viewed, rented or purchased by people 13 years of age or over. Children under 13 may be admitted only if accompanied by an adult. *  '''16+'''  '''16 ans et plus''' (16 years and over): May be viewed, rented or purchased by people 16 years of age or over. *  '''18+'''  '''18 ans et plus''' (18 years and over): May be viewed, rented or purchased by people 18 years of age or over.

While not a classification ''per se'', educational or pedagogical movies, sport and physical exercise programs, and promotional materials are exempt from classification.<ref name="rcq2">{{cite web |url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/C_18_1/C18_1_A.html |title=Cinema Act (RSQ, C-18.1) |access-date=2008-12-24 |date=2008-12-15 |publisher=Gouvernement du Québec}}</ref>

The Régie does not cut sequences from movies; they are rated in the format provided by the production company. Nonetheless, the Régie has the authority to deny classification, in which case the movie cannot be distributed in any format in the province of Quebec.<ref name="rcq2" />

== Criticism == In certain provinces in Canada, the rating system has come under criticism as being too lenient. For example, in British Columbia, the film ''Scary Movie'' (2000) was given an 18A rating, but was re-rated on appeal by the Motion Picture and Liquor Appeal Board to a 14A. This resulted in a record number of complaints to the British Columbia Film Classification Office from parents who felt the film should have been rated 18A. Many parents wrote letters to their local newspaper warning others that the film may be inappropriate for their fourteen-year-olds. Theatre owners complained about the inappropriate rating as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcfilmclass.com/reconsideration/2004/goingthedistance.pdf |title=RECONSIDERATION DECISION: GOING THE DISTANCE requested by Odeon Films |date=2004-08-19 |access-date=2007-12-01 |first=Steven |last=Pelton |publisher=British Columbia Film Classification Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927102637/http://www.bcfilmclass.com/reconsideration/2004/goingthedistance.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Coversely, the Saskatchewan Film and Video Classification Board faced criticism for briefly refusing to classify ''Exit to Eden'' (1994), despite no other jurisdiction in Canada having done so. In the wake of the criticism, Saskatchewan eventually began to use the ratings provided by the British Columbia Film Classification Office instead.<ref name=":0" />

== See also == * Motion picture content rating system

== References == {{reflist|30em}} {{Media regulation and recognition in Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Motion Picture Rating System}} Category:Canadian motion picture rating systems