Film and Video Ratings

Film Classification Rating Systems

Manitoba Film Classification Board 1 Film and video classifications		Canadian Home Video Rating System (Video only) Voluntary, the average of ratings submitted by the provincial boards and used by SK, AB, & BC since they don't rate mainstream videos.		Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)2 MPAA rating are industry generated and voluntary.
General	All may view, rent or buy. Suitable for those under 12	General G	Suitable for viewing by all ages	G - General Audiences	All ages admitted.
Parental Guidance	All may view rent or buy. However, parental guidance is advised. Most suitable for mature viewers over 12.	Parental Guidance PG	Parental guidance advised. Theme or content may not be suitable for all children.	PG - Parental Guidance suggested	Some material may not be suitable for children.
14 Accompaniment	Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or adult when they view, rent or buy. Subject matter or language may be controversial or offensive.	14A	Suitable for people 14 years of age or older. Those under14 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.	PG-13 - Parents strongly cautioned	Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Contains material beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language or other contents. Parents alerted to be very careful about the attendance of under teenage children.
18 Accompaniment	Suitable for people 18 years of age. Persons ages 14-17 must be accompanied by 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.	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.	R - Restricted	Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Includes hard language or tough violence, or nudity with sexual scenes or drug abuse or other elements.
Restricted	Only Adults 18 and over may attend purchase or rent. May contain many scenes of horror, violence, sexual activity or material that degrades individuals or groups.	Restricted	Restricted to 18 years 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; horror; and/or other disturbing content.	NC-17	No one 17 and under admitted. Includes violence or sex or aberrational behaviour or drug abuse or any other elements which parents would consider too strong for viewing by their children.
	May exempt material or classes of material such as how-to, travel, arts and culture, educational and instructional information.	Exempt	Contains material not subject to classification, e.g. documentaries, nature, travel, music, arts and culture, sports and leisure, educational and instructional information.

1 Manitoba also has a fifth classification "18+" used only for "Adult Video" which provides that only adults 18 and over may rent or buy this product.

2 MPAA is a voluntary system; ratings or age restrictions are not enforced by law. Distributors are not obligated to submit films or accept the rating if submitted.

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