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Films classified on or after January 1, 2006, other than adult sex films or video games classified by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, will be required to contain the film’s classification on the cassette or exterior container.  The labelling provided under the voluntary industry-based Canadian Home Video Rating System (CHVRS), which is administered by the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association, fulfills this requirement.

Under the CHVRS, after the Film Review Boards across Canada that participate in the process (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Maritimes) have given their classification decisions on the film, an average is taken which then becomes the film’s classification.  These are the classifications for the Canadian Home Video Rating System:

Rating G Suitable for viewing by all ages.
Rating PG Parental guidance advised.  Theme or content may not be suitable for all children.
Rating 14A Suitable for people 14 years of age or 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.
Rating 18A Suitable for people 18 years of age or 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.
Rating R Restricted to 18 years and older.  No rental or purchase by those under 18.  Contents not suitable for minors.  Contains frequent sexual activity, brutality/graphic violence, intense horror, and/or other disturbing content.
Rating E Exempt.  Contains material not subject to classification, such as documentaries, nature, travel, music, arts and culture, sports and leisure, educational and instructional information.

At the present time, videos do not have warnings or information pieces.
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Ontario Film Review Board, 4950 Yonge Street, Suite 101B, Toronto ON  M2N 6K1
Phone: (416) 314-3626   Fax: (416) 314-3632   Toll-free: 1-800-268-6024

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Last Modified:  2011-02-08

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