Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry (1954)

New Brunswick: The Theatres Act 1927. Nova Scotia: The Theatres Cinematograph and Amusements Act 1923, and Regulations thereunder (lastly revised 7 July 1945). Ontario: The Theatres Act, 1953, a complete revision of the Theatres and Cinematographs Act, first passed in 1911. Under the new act the minimum age under which children may at¬ tend movies unaccompanied is lowered from 16 fa 14. The term "theatre" is redefined to apply only to those showing 35 mm. films. The exhibition of 16 mm. filmsi in halls be¬ comes the responsibility of local officials. The previous men-per-booth law is withdrawn. Films classified as "Adult Entertainment" must be so advertised in the papers and identified outside the theatre. Under the category called "Restricted" certain films are allowed exhibi¬ tion for patrons over 1 8, each engagement requiring approval. Prince Edward Island: There is no Board of Cen¬ sors. Pictures shown must be approved by the New Brunswick Board of Censors. Quebec: Act respecting Exhibitions of Moving Pictures 1925 and the regulations under it (Regulations respecting the censorship of films, lastly revised by Order in Council No. 342 of 31 March 1949). Saskatchewan: The Theatres and Cinematographs Act 1940 and the Regulations under the Theatres and Cinematographs Act, lastly amended by Order in Council No. 48 of 1948. Finally, in the North West Territories which do not constitute a province, there is the Ordi¬ nance respecting Motion Pictures, lastly amen¬ ded on 17 March 1948, dealing mainly with theatre licensing and safety conditions. As there are only four licensed cinemas in the North West Territories which obtain films through provincial distribution, and as such films have been censored by the provincial authorities, it has not been con¬ sidered necessary to carry out further censorship. In Newfoundland, there is an "Act regarding the Censoring of Moving Pictures," but no regu¬ lations have been laid down thereunder. At one time a Board of Censorship existed but it was dissolved some years ago. All provincial acts contain regulations con¬ cerning the licensing of cinemas with a view to public safety and compliance with censorship rules. Generally the licensing includes perma¬ nent cinemas as well as mobile cinemas and drivein theatres both for 35mm and 1 6mm. In the Pro¬ vince of Quebec, film performances in the open air, and consequently drive-in theatres, are prohi¬ bited. Most of the provinces require by law that projectionists must pass an examination and obtain a certificate. Film exchanges (distributing companies and their local agents) must also be licensed, generally to ensure the safe storage of films. In different provinces, such as the provinces of Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario, the law contains a clause according to which the authority in charge may prescribe the terms and conditions under which films may be sold, leased or exchanged. In addition the Lieutenant-Governor in Council of the province of Ontario may require* that a proportion of the films available for distribution to exhibitors and the films exhibited in each theatre be of British manufacture and origin, and he may fix such proportions on a monthly or yearly basis. The Nova Scotia Theatres, Cinematographs and Amusement Act lays down that no cinema may be deprived of the number of films neces¬ sary for its operation and also that no cinema may contract for more films than are reasonably required. A special rule of the British Columbia Moving Pictures Act provides for the establishment of a British Columbia Patriotic and Educational Picture Service under the Department of the Attorney-General. The task of this service is to produce and acquire films and slides of a patrio¬ tic, educational or entertaining nature (espe¬ cially concerning the Province or the Domion) and to furnish them without charge for public exhibition in the cinemas. The Director of the Service may issue directions to the cinemas as to the times and manner of the exhibition of the films and slides. Finally different provincial acts deal with entertainment taxes and all of them contain censorship rules. The general pattern is that censorship is exercised in each province by a Censorship Board and appeals against the deci¬ sions of these Boards can be made to the pro¬ vincial Appeals Boards. Furthermore, films are usually censored under two categories: Adult and Suitable for Family Entertainment (or Gener¬ al). The age under which children may not visit cinemas unless films especially approved for them are shown, varies from 1 4 to 16 years. How¬ ever, in the Province of Quebec children under 16 are not admitted at all. (For censorship fees and exchange licences see Censorship section.)