Ratings are "averaged" from ones given by participating provincial film boards: Alberta, British Columbia (whose ratings are also followed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan), Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), and Ontario, and applied by the distributor to home video packaging.
Canada has no federal rating system for the theatrical release of motion pictures; such controls lie in the jurisdiction of the provinces and is enacted through six film classification boards across the country.
Although the CHVRS is a voluntary industry classification some of the provinces have incorporated it into legislation regarding home video sales and rentals, and CHVRS labelling is found on most home video products sold in Canada.
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Maritime provinces have regulations requiring CHVRS labelling or the equivalent while British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario do not, although most provinces have additional regulations regarding the labelling and display of adult video material.
Not Recommended For Children - The film may include scenes that reflect a more mature situation, such as drug use/abuse.
The film may contain portrayals of domestic violence, racism, religious matters, death, or controversial social issues.
Crude Content - Material or humour that is unrefined or coarse and that may be seen as harsh, rude, or offensive.
May contain images of non-consensual acts with the intent to inflict harm, for example: simulated rape, and/or the use of threat to force compliance in sexual activity.
The eight participating provincial ratings are applied the appropriate numerical value and then an average is calculated.