The Canadian Home Video Rating System (CHVRS) is a voluntary rating classification system applied to films on VHS and DVDs. It is administered by the Motion Picture Classification Corporation of Canada, a subsidiary of the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA–C). Ratings are "averaged" from ones given by participating provincial film boards: Alberta, British Columbia (whose ratings are also followed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan), Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), and applied by the distributor to home video packaging. These ratings only applies to home ratings, as theater ratings are distributed by the provincial film board of the relevant province.
Canadian Home Video Ratings System
Canada has no federal rating system for the theatrical release of motion pictures; such controls lie in the jurisdiction of the provinces and is enacted through six film classification boards across the country. However this system for home video (on cassette, DVD, etc.) came into effect in May 1995, at the initiative of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association and it works as a uniform Canadian ratings system.
Although the CHVRS is a voluntary industry classification some of the provinces have incorporated it into legislation regarding home video sales and rentals, and CHVRS labelling is found on most home video products sold in Canada. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Maritime provinces have regulations requiring CHVRS labelling or the equivalent while British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario do not, although most provinces have additional regulations regarding the labelling and display of adult video material.
In Quebec, a separate classification system is in effect under provincial law and administered by the Ministry of Culture and Communications (prior to 2017 administered by the Régie du cinéma). All home video products sold in the province must be appropriately labelled.
Ontario previously had a provincial film board, which was established in 2015. The board was later disbanded in September of 2019.
Classifications
The CHV rating system is as follows:
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|||G - Suitable for viewing by all ages. (5)
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|||PG - Parental guidance advised. Some themes or content may not be suitable for children. (4)
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|||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. (3)
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|||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. (2)
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|||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. (1)
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|||E - Exempt. Contains material not subject to classification, such as documentaries, nature, travel, music, arts and culture, sports and leisure, educational and instructional information.
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Information Pieces
Beginning in 2003, "information pieces" are applied depending on the pieces used by the provinces for a certain film. The information pieces are as follows: