New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island follow the classifications set out by the Maritime Film Classification Board. The Board classifies films for all three provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador is not a member.
Nova Scotia has been appointed as lead agent in the implementation and planning process for the Maritime Board and issues classifications according to the Maritime classification system.
Under the Board, all three provinces continue to have their own acts and regulations. This enables them to retain their ability to enforce exhibition and distribution of films and videos and to licence theatres and retail video stores provincially. All home video movies rented or sold in these three provinces must display the Maritime Film Classification rating on their jackets.
Some films and videos carry an information caption. Captions give consumers additional information about a movie, for example "extreme violence," "not suitable for children," "offensive language" and "explicit sex ."
These are the classifications and what they mean:
 | General (G)
Considered to be suitable for all ages. No restrictions on viewing. The material does not contain elements that might be too intense or offensive for young viewers.
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 | Parental Guidance (PG)
All ages may attend. However, parents should know that the theme or content of the film may be more mature than in general films. It may be appropriate for those 12 years of age and over
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 | Adult Accompaniment (14)
Considered to be suitable for those 14 years of age and older. Those under 14 must be escorted by an adult. Guidelines
A film with this rating may contain: - scenes of limited violence
- the use of weapons without excessive blood-letting
- restrained portrayal of accident or disaster
- scenes of casual or brief nudity, romantic involvement that is not sexually explicit, where participants are at least partially clothed
some coarse or vulgar language |
 | 18 years and over
May be viewed, rented or purchased by persons 18 years of age or over. Guidelines
Films restricted to an adult audience usually contain: - explicit representations of sexuality;
- exacerbated violence, particularly those depicting torture or other forms of cruelty heightened through special effects to a level of harrowing realism; closely associated erotic behaviour and violence.
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| Explicit Material (XXX)
These films contain: - sexually explicit scenes
- graphically or excessively violent scenes
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 | Exempt (E)
Some types of videos are exempt from classification and will carry an E label. These videos have not been viewed by a film classification board. They may include children's cartoons, travelogues, instructional videos, athletic events and cultural, industrial, religious or political material. |
Some titles may carry an additional information caption. These captions are carried in theatre advertising and, in the case of home video, are found in the in-store catalogue. Captions can indicate the following "parental guidance " "not suitable for children" "offensive language," and "explicit sex ."
For more information on the Maritime Classification System contact,
Alcohol and Gaming Division
Nova Scotia Labour and Workforce Development
Toll Free: 1-877-565-0556
Phone: (902) 424-6160
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/agd/film/
