Film and Video Ratings - Manitoba Classification (archived)

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Ratings and Logos

 

General icon: green circle with white G
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Suitable for viewing by persons of all ages. Occasional violence, swearing and coarse language, and the most innocent of sexually suggestive scenes and nudity, are permitted in this category.
Parental Guidance icon: blue square with white PG
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Parental guidance advised. Theme or content may not be suitable for all children although there is no age restriction. Films in this category may contain less subtle sexually suggestive scenes and nudity and a more realistic portrayal of violence than in the General category; coarse language may occur more often than in the General category.

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Suitable for persons 14 years of age or older. Persons under 14 years of age must view these films accompanied by an adult. Films in this category may contain violence, coarse language or sexually suggestive scenes, or any combination of them.
18 A icon: orange triangle with black 18 A
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Persons under 18 years of age must view these films accompanied by an adult. Films in this category will contain horror, explicit violence, frequent coarse language or scenes that are more sexually suggestive than in the 14A category, or any combination of them.
Restricted icon: red hexagon with black R
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Restricted to persons 18 years of age and over. Persons under 18 years of age are not permitted to attend under any circumstances. These films are "adult films", as defined in the Act, and may contain explicit sexual scenes or violence or any combination of them. The director will assign this classification to a film if the director considers that the theme, subject matter or plot of the adult motion picture is artistic, historical, political, educational or scientific.
Exempt icon: white circle with black E

 

Any film not subject to, or exempt from classification.

 

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Content Advisories

Additional content advisories/information pieces that can be given along with the film's classification:

  • Not Recommended For Young Children: The film may be inappropriate for young children. An example might be the death of a family pet, a complicated family breakdown, or images considered frightening or disturbing for the very young. "Young Children" would be persons age 8 and under.
  • Not Recommended For Children: The film may include scenes that reflect a more mature situation, such as drug use/abuse. "Children" would be persons age 13 and under.
  • Frightening Scenes: The film contains images that might shock or frighten a person. These scenes might be found in a thriller, suspense or war genre.
  • Mature Theme: Contains images or storylines that may be disturbing or incomprehensible to minors. The film may contain portrayals of domestic violence, racism, religious matters, death, or controversial social issues.
  • Language May Offend: Contains language that may be offensive to some groups i.e. sacrilegious language such as Goddamn; also used for PG films that contain expletives.
  • Coarse Language: Product contains profanity, threats, slurs, sexual references, or sexual innuendo.
  • Crude Content: Material or humour that is unrefined or coarse and that may be seen as harsh, rude, or offensive.
  • Nudity: Contains images of full frontal, partial, or rear nudity. Context will be determined by the situation, clarity, detail, repetition, and whether the nudity is in a non-sexual or sexual situation.
  • Sexual Content: Film may contain images and/or verbal references of sexual themes, sexual innuendo, fondling, implied sexual activity and simulated sexual activity.
  • Violence: May contain restrained portrayals of non-graphic violence, portrayals of violence with some bloodletting and/or tissue damage, and frequent more prolonged portrayals of violence resulting in bloodletting and tissue damage. The degree, frequency and intensity of the acts of violence will be factors in the classification decision.
  • Disturbing Content: Indicates the expected natural reaction by an audience to any elements of a film, including the tone of a film, pertaining to distress or suffering. This includes the implication or threat of physical and/or psychological violence, even when violence is not depicted.
  • Substance Abuse: Descriptive scenes depicting the use of illegal substances, the excessive use of tobacco or the use of alcohol resulting in impairment.
  • Gory Scenes: Graphic images of bloodletting and/or tissue damage. Includes horror or war representations. Degree, frequency, and intensity will also be a major factor in the classification decision.
  • Explicit Sexual Content: Sexual acts, shown in full, clear, unequivocal and realistic detail, that may or may not be gratuitous to the film.
  • Brutal Violence: Visually explicit portrayals of violence, which may be characterized by extreme brutality, extreme bloodletting and/or extreme tissue damage. May include images of torture, horror or war.
  • Sexual Violence: The degradation of an individual in a sexual manner. May contain images of non-consensual acts with the intent to inflict harm, for example, simulated rape, and/or the use of threat to force compliance in sexual activity.
  • Tobacco Use/Promotion: Contains conspicuous consumption/promotion of tobacco through the use and placement of tobacco products or images. These tobacco products or images could include the smoking of cigarettes and cigars, using smokeless tobacco or showing brand name cigarette packages.

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Comparison of Canadian Classification Systems

Notes:

  • Saskatchewan (SK) has contracted to accept the classifications of British Columbia (BC)
  • Maritimes includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island
  • Canadian Home Video Rating System (CHVRS) is a voluntary system that does not classify but averages the classifications of the provincial boards
Classification BC / SK Alberta Manitoba Ontario Quebec Maritimes CHVRS
Public Exhibition 35mm and Video 35mm and Video 35mm and Video 35mm and Video 35mm and Video 35mm and Video Video only
Home Use Video Adult sex video Mainstream video, Adult sex video Mainstream video, Adult sex video Mainstream video, Adult sex video Mainstream video, Adult sex video Video only
General G G G G G G G
Parental Guidance PG PG PG PG PG PG
14A 14A: “Anyone under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.” 14A: “Persons under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.” 14A: “Persons under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.” 14A: “Persons under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.” 13+: “Children 12 years of age and under may be admitted to a public showing of the film, but only if accompanied by an adult.” 14A: “Persons under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.” 14A: “Those under 14 should view with an adult. No rental or purchase by those under 14.”
18A 18A: “Persons under 18 years of age must view these motion pictures accompanied by an adult.” 18A: “Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.” 18 Accompaniment (18A): “Persons ages 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult.” 18A: “Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.” 16+: “May be viewed, rented or purchased by persons 16 years of age or over.” 18 Accompaniment (18A): “Persons ages 14 -17 must be accompanied by an adult.” 18A: “Persons under 18 should view with an adult. No rental or purchase by those under 18.”
Restricted “No one under the age of 18 may view under any circumstances.” “Admittance restricted to persons 18 years of age or over.” “Viewing, renting or buying is restricted to persons 18 years of age or over.” “Viewing, renting or buying is restricted to persons 18 years of age or over.” “Viewing, renting or buying is restricted to persons 18 years of age or over.” “No rental or purchase by those under 18.”
Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult 18+ Adult
Exempt E Exempt E

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Film Classification Rating Systems

Notes:

  • Manitoba Film Classification (MFCB)
    • Film and video classifications
    • 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
  • Canadian Home Video Rating System (CMVRS)
    • 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)
    • 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
MFCB CMVRS MPAA
G (General): All may view, rent or buy. Suitable for those under 12. G (General): Suitable for viewing by all ages. G (General Audiences): All ages admitted.
PG (Parental Guidance): All may view rent or buy. However, parental guidance is advised. Most suitable for mature viewers over 12. PG (Parental Guidance): 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.
14A (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.
18A (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.
R (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.
E (Exempt): 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.

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