Canadian Rating Systems

•The TV rating systems in Canada are based on the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) policy on violence in television programming.

•While violence is the most important content element to be rated, the structure developed takes into consideration other program content like language, nudity, sexuality and mature themes.

•When setting the V-CHIP on the Canadian system, you can choose either the Canadian English ratings or the Canadian French ratings.

Canadian English ratings

 

Rating

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

Children: Intended for younger children under the age of 8 years. Pays careful attention to

 

 

themes that could threaten their sense of security and well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children over 8 years old: Contains no portrayal of violence as the preferred, acceptable,

 

 

C8e

or only way to resolve conflict; nor encourage children to imitate dangerous acts which

 

 

 

they may see on the screen.

 

 

G

General: Considered acceptable for all age groups. Appropriate viewing for the entire

 

 

family, contains very little violence, physical, verbal or emotional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age

 

PG

Parental Guidance: Intended for a general audience, but may not be suitable for younger

 

 

children (under the age of 8) because it could contain controversial themes or issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 14 Years: Could contain themes where violence is one of the dominant elements of

 

 

14e

the storyline, but it must be integral to the development of plot or character. Language

 

 

 

usage could be profane and nudity present within the context of the theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adults: Intended for viewers 18 years and older and might contain depictions of violence,

 

 

18e

which while related to the development of plot, character or themes, are intended for adult

 

 

 

viewing. Could contain graphic language and portrayals of sex and nudity.

 

 

 

 

Canadian French ratings

Rating

Description

 

 

 

 

G

General: All ages and children, contains minimal direct violence, but may be integrated

 

into the plot in a humorous or unrealistic manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8anse

General but inadvisable for young children: May be viewed by a wide public audience, but

 

could contain scenes disturbing to children under 8 who cannot distinguish between

 

 

imaginary and real situations. Recommended for viewing with parent.

Age

 

 

13anse

Over 13 years: Could contain scenes of frequent violent scenes and therefore

 

 

recommended for viewing with parent.

 

 

 

 

16anse

Over 16 years: Could contain frequent violent scenes and intense violence.

 

 

 

 

18anse

Over 18 years: Only for adult viewing. Could contain frequent violent scenes and extreme

 

violence.