What is the purpose of Section 15 of the Charter in Canadian law?

Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is specifically focused on equality rights. Its primary purpose is to guarantee every individual equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination on various grounds, including race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability. This section aims to promote and ensure equality for all Canadians, reinforcing the principle that individuals should not be treated unequally by laws or governmental actions.

The significance of Section 15 lies in its role as a tool for challenging discriminatory practices and promoting substantive equality in Canadian society. By addressing both formal and substantive equality, it seeks to remove barriers to equal opportunity and ensure that everyone has an equal chance to participate fully in society.

The other options pertain to different rights and sections of the Charter. For example, the right to free speech is protected under Section 2, while fair trial rights are addressed in Section 11. Defining the legislative process does not fall under the scope of individual rights safeguarded by the Charter, making Section 15 distinctly focused on establishing and protecting equality rights.