Distributing to other provinces
We are authorized to enter into agreements with other provinces and their designated classification authorities. Through administrative agreements, we provide some classification services for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Read the Motion Picture Act, section 12.3.
Ontario
Our agreement with the Government of Ontario to classify commercial films and trailers for distribution and exhibition in theatres in that province has ended.
The rules in Ontario:
The Government of Ontario no longer requires the licensing of film exhibitors, retailers, and distributors in Ontario. Classifications are also no longer required for films publicly exhibited in Ontario. Instead, exhibitors will be required to provide information to the public about a film’s content in advance of exhibition. You must not use our classifications, ratings, advisories, or decision summaries to meet your obligations to provide information about a film’s content.
For more information about these changes, the Government of Ontario has information on their website and has created a list of frequently asked questions and additional guidance for industry.
For questions about film classification in Ontario, please contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services by email at PublicSafetyandOperationsPolicyBranch@ontario.ca
Some important things to know:
Our film classifications, including ratings, advisories, and decision summaries are copyright protected and may only be used for a commercial purpose with our written permission. The unauthorized use of our copyright material may result in legal action under the Copyright Act. That also means that if we classify a film or trailer for distribution to a theatre in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or BC, that classification is strictly limited to those provinces and must not be used for distribution to theatres outside these provinces, including Ontario.
Still want us to classify your films and trailers for distribution in Ontario?
If you want us to classify films and trailers that you are distributing in Ontario, please contact our classification team at classadmin@consumerprotectionbc.ca for information about how to make that request and the associated fees.
Manitoba
Fees
When you submit your movie to us, you are automatically requesting classification in BC. In addition, you can also ask for classification for distribution in Manitoba. The fee is $2.00 per minute (minimum $220.00) for Manitoba.
If you are distributing trailers to Manitoba theatres, you must submit the trailers to us for classification.
Use our forms to get your motion picture or trailer rated.
In 2018, we signed an agreement with the province of Manitoba to provide motion picture classification services for the province.
Read our agreement with the province of Manitoba.
Saskatchewan
Fees
If you are screening a motion picture in Saskatchewan only, please visit the Saskatchewan Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority to learn more about their requirements and processes. We do not provide classification services for trailers for Saskatchewan or for motion pictures that are screened in Saskatchewan only.
If you plan to screen a motion picture in both Saskatchewan and BC, you must get it rated by us. When you submit it to us, you are also automatically requesting classification in BC. You will pay the classification fee for BC as well as a flat fee of $440 for a certificate for Saskatchewan.
We also issue decals for Adult or Restricted DVDs distributed to Saskatchewan retailers. Decal fees are $2 per decal.
Use our form to get your motion picture rated.
Review our current classification fees for screenings in BC.
In 1997, the governments of BC and Saskatchewan entered into an agreement in which BC would provide motion picture classification (rating) services for Saskatchewan.
Today, we continue to classify many of the movies shown in Saskatchewan theatres using the categories defined in our legislation.
The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) carries out various administrative duties and classifies general release DVDs sold or rented in Saskatchewan, as well as content for repertory theatres.
Our agreement benefits consumers by providing consistent classification information in BC and Saskatchewan and industry by reducing costs and the amount of time it takes to get motion pictures classified. We encourage moviegoers in both provinces to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Read our agreement with the province of Saskatchewan.
Read the 2021 addendum.