Canadian film ratings: BC, Québec and Ontario
Check the province before applying a Canadian rating. British Columbia and Québec use different categories, while Ontario no longer requires movie ratings for general film exhibition.
Scope: Selected provincial film systems, not a national conversion chart
British Columbia
| Rating | What it means |
|---|---|
| G | All ages |
| PG | Parental discretion, no age restriction |
| 14A | Under 14 must attend with an adult |
| 18A | Under 18 must attend with an adult |
| R / A | 18+ only, distinct adult categories |
Québec
| Rating | What it means |
|---|---|
| G | All ages, may have a young-child caution |
| 13+ | Under 13 may attend with an adult |
| 16+ | 16 and over only |
| 18+ | 18 and over only |
What changed in Ontario?
Exhibitors must provide film content information before screening, rather than a mandatory movie age rating. Separate approval and under-18 restrictions remain for adult sex films.
Source: Ontario: film content informationIs Canadian R the same as US R?
No. BC’s R is restricted to adults 18+, while US R has an accompaniment route for under-17s. BC also distinguishes sexual language, suggestive scenes and explicit sex in its advisories.
Source: Consumer Protection BC: ratings and advisoriesOfficial sources
Sources checked:
- Consumer Protection BC: ratings and advisories
BC categories and content distinctions
- Québec: critères de classement
Québec ages and accompaniment
- Ontario: film content information
Current exhibition information requirements