The sentences derived from provincial courts in nine jurisdictions across Canada over the period 1993-1994 and provided data on 551,682 individuals and more than 1,000,000 sentences. This article presents findings on single charge cases, in which one charge is associated with a case. A fine was the most frequently imposed sanction, having been imposed in more than half the cases. A term of imprisonment was imposed in one-quarter of the cases. Sentences of imprisonment were frequently accompanied by a period of probation to be served at the conclusion of the term of custody. Sentencing patterns at the trial court level bore little relationship to the maximum penalty structure, thereby underlining the importance of a comprehensive revision of the maximum penalties in the Criminal Code. One of the most basic failings of the current sentencing system in Canada is that there is no method to know in a systematic, up-to-date and accessible manner, on a continuing basis, what kinds of sentences are being handed down. Tables, figures, notes, references