General Information

New Film Content Information Requirements in Saskatchewan – Effective April 1, 2026

Background

The Film Content Information Act (the “Act”) has been proclaimed and will take effect on April 1, 2026. The accompanying Film Content Information Regulations (the “Regulations”) have also been passed and will come into force on the same date. The new legislation will repeal The Film and Video Classification Act, 2016 and The Film and Video Classification Regulations, 2018 when it comes into effect. 

Overview of New Framework

The Act establishes a modernized framework for informing Saskatchewan consumers about film content. It removes the requirement for films to receive an age based classification rating from a classification authority and replaces it with a system focused on providing relevant content information to consumers in Saskatchewan.

To ensure that consumers have the information they need to make informed viewing choices, the new legislation requires exhibitors to disclose, before a film is shown, information that would be relevant to individuals intending to view the film. Examples of information respecting a film and its content that may be relevant to persons who may intend to view the film include the following:

(a) the age of the intended audience of the film;

(b) whether the film contains:

(i) nudity, sexual activity or adult themes;

(ii) the graphic depiction of violence involving bloodletting, torture, mutilation or criminal activity;

(iii) coarse language, sexual references or slurs; or

(iv) the depiction of the use of an illegal substance, or the illegal or harmful use of alcohol, a tobacco product, a vapour product or cannabis;

(c) any other prescribed information.

Exhibitors are required to display this information at the location where the film is being shown. If the film is being advertised or otherwise promoted on a website, then the information must also be displayed on that website before the film is shown. 

The new Act also requires film exhibitors to display the name and contact information of someone who can be contacted with any questions or complaints regarding a film’s content information.

If a film has been previously classified for exhibition in Saskatchewan pursuant to The Film and Video Classification Act, 2016, then an exhibitor may display the film’s previous classification rather than the information about the film’s content, as described above. In these circumstances, the classification may be displayed:

• at the location where the film is being shown; and

• if a film is being advertised or otherwise promoted on a website, on that website before the film is shown. 

The new legislation also removes the registration and annual filing requirements for film exhibitors and distributors in Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan’s approval requirements for advertising associated with films.

Adult Films

Adult films (films that have, as their main object, the depiction of explicit sexual activity and films that contain prescribed scenes) will continue to have age-based restrictions which prohibit the sale, rental and exhibition of adult films to persons who are under 18 years of age in Saskatchewan. Under the new framework, adult films must be reviewed and approved by an entity that is authorized to approve adult films.

Access to Legislation

A copy of the Act and the Regulations can be viewed on the Government of Saskatchewan’s Publications website at: 

• https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/123981; and 

• https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/128281.

Questions

For additional information about the new legislation, please contact the FCAA at consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca or 1-877-880-5550.