Canadian Rating System for Home Videos
The Canadian Rating System for Home Videos came into effect in May 1995, following collaboration by industry members, the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association, and the seven separate film classification boards. Ratings are produced by averaging the classifications assigned by provincial boards.
All the provinces, except Quebec, now require the Canadian Home Video ratings stickers to be displayed on rental video jackets. Although the system is voluntary, video stores are encouraged to display posters explaining the classifications to customers.
Here are the ratings, and what they mean:
 | General (G)
General viewing. Suitable for all audiences. (Similar to U.S. "G") |
 | Parental Guidance (PG)
Parental guidance advised. Theme or content may not be suitable for all children. (Similar to U.S. "PG") |
 | 14A
Suitable for people 14 years of age and older. Those under 14 should view with an adult. No rental or purchase by those under 14. Parents cautioned. May contain: violence, coarse language and/or sexually suggestive scenes. (Similar to a U.S. "PG 13" or "R") |
 | 18A
Suitable for people 18 years of age and older. Persons under 18 should view with an adult. No rental or purchase by those under 18. Parents strongly cautioned. Will likely contain: explicit violence, frequent coarse language, sexual activity and/or horror. (Similar to U.S. "R") |
 | Restricted (R)
Restricted to 18 years of age and over. No rental or purchase by those under 18. Content not suitable for minors. Video contains frequent use of sexual activity, brutal graphic violence, intense horror and/or other disturbing content. (Similar to U.S. "NC-17")
|
 | Exempt (E)
Contains material not subject to classification, e.g. documentaries, nature, travel, music, culture, sports and leisure, educational and instructional information. |
Comments or complaints regarding the Canadian Rating System for Home Videos should be directed to:
Canadian Motion Pictures Distributors Association (CMPDA)
22 St. Clair Avenue, Suite 1603
Toronto, ON
M4T 2S4
Tel: (416) 961-1888
Fax: (416) 968-1016
