Movie Rating System:
CMPDA

The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association (CMPDA) provides its own ratings for VHS and DVD titles sold and rented in Canada. Called the Canadian Home Video Rating System (CHVRS), the symbols are an average of the ratings a movie received from the various provincial movie rating authorities during its theatrical release.

The CHVRS uses the following rating symbols:

	Suitable for viewing by all ages.
	Parental guidance advised. Theme or content may not be suitable for all children.
	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.
	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.
	Restricted to 18 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.
	Exempt. Contains material not subject to classification, such as documentaries, nature, travel, music, arts and culture, sports and leisure, educational and instructional information.

Parents should note that the CHVRS does not take into account additional content that may be included in DVD or VHS releases, including "director's cuts," "never before seen footage," "making of" documentaries, commentaries and other material.

A completely voluntary system, the ratings are applied by the distributor of the movie--as opposed to a board of examiners or classifiers. These ratings are not bound by any legislation, and provinces that provide their own ratings for videos will hold precedence over this system.

Contact Information:

The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association
22 St. Clair Avenue East
Suite 1603
Toronto, ON
M4T 2S4

Phone: (416) 961-1888
Fax: (416) 968-1016