Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection

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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. 

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 moviegoers 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—such as the age of the intended audience and whether the film contains: 

• nudity, sexual activity or adult themes; 
• the graphic depiction of violence (bloodletting, torture, mutilation or criminal activity); 
• coarse language, sexual references or slurs; or 
• depiction of the use of illegal substances or harmful use of alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. 

Exhibitors are required to display this information at the location where the film is being shown. If the film is being 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. 

The new legislation removes several administrative requirements currently imposed on film exhibitors and distributors in Saskatchewan. Currently, national exhibitors and distributors must prepare multiple classification submissions and pay multiple sets of classification fees in different provinces to obtain a classification for a film across Canada. The new legislation removes the classification, registration and annual filing requirements for film exhibitors and distributors in Saskatchewan. It also removes 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 here:  

The Act: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/123981 

The Regulations: 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.

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Consumer Protection - Federal Government Luxury Tax

September 16, 2022 - Recently, the federal government implemented a new luxury tax on certain vehicles priced higher than $100,000. This new tax was enacted under The Select Luxury Items Tax Act. By virtue of these changes, the Consumer Protection Division received several inquiries about this new tax and whether it should be included in a vehicle’s drive-away price in accordance with The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Regulations. The Consumer Protection Division would like to take the opportunity to provide our licensed vehicle dealers with pertinent sections of the Act and Regulations.

Drive-Away price
5‑17 In this Subdivision:

• “drive‑away price” means the total charges, not including taxes payable pursuant to The Provincial Sales Tax Act and Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) or financing charges, that the consumer, if paying cash without a trade, would be required to pay to conclude a transaction, including:
  • the price of the vehicle; and
  • charges for freight, inspection before delivery of the vehicle, fees and levies;
  • The definition of drive away price excludes provincial sales taxes and federal excise taxes, not luxury tax payable under the Select Luxury Items Tax Act enacted on September 1, 2022. As such, Luxury Tax is considered a “charge” and must be included in the drive-away price.

If you have any questions regarding disclosure and drive away price, please contact vehicledealers@gov.sk.ca

If you are unsure if or how the luxury tax applies to your business, please contact a tax professional or the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
Consumer Protection Division
4th Floor, 2365 Albert Street
Regina Canada S4P 4K1 
Phone: 306-787-5550
Toll Free: 1-877-880-5550

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Consumer Protection - The FCAA's 2021-2024 Strategic Plan

April 13, 2021 -  The FCAA has released its 2021-2014 Strategic Plan.

• Strategic Plan 2021 - 2024

 

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Consumer Protection - Changes to the Saskatchewan Film Classification Act and Regulations

July 3, 2018 - The Saskatchewan Film Classification Act and Regulations recently underwent changes to streamline the administration of film classification.  This resulted in The Film and Video Classification Act, 2016 which was proclaimed in force on July 1, 2018 (see the pronouncement for the enactment of The Film and Video Classification Act, 2016 and Regulations, 2018).

With its introduction, the amendments:

• Change the classification mechanism for films from classification by a board to classification by a Director of Film Classification and/or by delegates of the Director; 
• Allow for temporary classifications in certain circumstances;
• Provide that appeals be made to the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA); 
• Allow for continuous registration by distributors/exhibitors upon providing an annual return; and 
• Update the criteria for “disapproving” a film or a portion of a film, in order to conform to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

We encourage you to visit our updated webpage.  You may contact us at:
 
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority 
Saskatchewan Film Classification
4th Floor, 2365 Albert Street 
REGINA SK S4P 4K1 

Telephone: 306-787-5550 1-877-880-5550 (toll-free) 
Fax:306-787-5899
Email:skfilmclass@gov.sk.ca
 

 

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