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
Canadian French ratings
Rating
Age
C
C8
e
G
PG
14
e
18
e
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,
or only way to resolve conflict; nor encourage children to imitate dangerous acts which
they may see on the screen.
General: Considered acceptable for all age groups. Appropriate viewing for the entire
family, contains very little violence, physical, verbal or emotional.
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
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,
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.
Description
Rating
Age
G
8ans
e
13ans
e
16ans
e
18ans
e
General: All ages and children, contains minimal direct violence, but may be integrated
into the plot in a humorous or unrealistic manner.
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.
Over 13 years: Could contain scenes of frequent violent scenes and therefore
recommended for viewing with parent.
Over 16 years: Could contain frequent violent scenes and intense violence.
Over 18 years: Only for adult viewing. Could contain frequent violent scenes and extreme
violence.
Description
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