What role does the judiciary play in the Canadian legal system?

The judiciary plays a critical role in the Canadian legal system by interpreting and applying the law. This role involves analyzing legal statutes, regulations, and precedents to ensure that they are interpreted correctly in the context of specific cases. Judges and courts assess the evidence and arguments presented during legal proceedings and make decisions based on their understanding of the law in relation to the circumstances of each case.

By interpreting the law, the judiciary maintains the balance of power among the various branches of government and ensures that laws are applied fairly and consistently. This function is essential to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights and freedoms of individuals within society. The judiciary also acts as a check on the other branches of government, ensuring that laws passed by the legislature or actions taken by the executive comply with constitutional and legal principles.

In contrast, the other options suggest functions that are not primarily the judiciary's responsibility. Creating laws is the domain of the legislative branch, enforcing laws falls to law enforcement agencies and the executive branch, while defining legal penalties generally stems from legislative processes that create statutes. Therefore, the accurate description of the judiciary's role is effectively captured by the option that states it interprets and applies the law.