THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CANADA, THE 'VAST MACHINE', IS EXAMINED IN FORM AND OPERATION. FOLLOWING CHAPTERS DISCUSS THE 'CERTIFICATION' OF CRIME: POLICE ACTIVITY, JUDICIAL ACTIVITY, AND PUBLIC OPINION, AND A CHAPTER ON THE NONCERTIFICATION OF CRIME CONCERNS ORGANIZED CRIME. ALSO EXAMINED ARE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CONVICTION RATES AND SOCIAL CLASS AND BETWEEN CONVICTION RATES AND PLACE OF BIRTH. FINAL CHAPTERS INTERPRET PAST TRENDS IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE FUTURE. REASONS FOR HISTORICAL CHANGES IN CONVICTION RATES BY AGE, SEX, AND URBAN OR RURAL RESIDENCE ARE CONSIDERED. IT IS NOTED THAT EVEN IF CONVICTION RATES REFLECT NOT MUCH MORE THAN CHANGES IN CERTIFICATION BEHAVIOR, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO PREDICT FUTURE CRIMINAL STATISTICS BY PROJECTING THE FUTURE OF CERTIFICATION PRACTICES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.