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#Written by David Tam, 1997.           #       
#davidkftam@netscape.net Copyright 1999#
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David Tam
Monday, March 3, 1997.

                             Business Press Review
                             =====================

"B.C. seeks quick deal on forest practices". The Globe and Mail.
Monday, March 3, 1997.                       ------------------

    The British Columbia government is willing to ease rules on logging if the
logging industry agrees to hire more employees.  This deal, which is headed by
B.C. forest minister David Zirnhelt, goes contrary to the old NDP party lines.
Normally, the NDP party is more socialist and more environmentally conscious
than other mainstream political parties.  Now, however, the government claims
that they are willing to reduce the bureaucratic red-tape involved in logging
forests.  Naturally, environmentalists claim that this will increase the
exploitation of forest lands even more than currently practiced.  They claim
that the government changes will also involve changing environmental standards
as well.

    This article shows how the government can influence the free market by
changing legislation in favour of certain business activities, promoting some
while discouraging others.  In the article, it is mentioned that in the past,
the NDP government in BC was too focused on the "green side" of things.  As a
result, the B.C. economy may have suffered due to this.  Aside from being
environmentally conscious, it looks like the government is realizing that it
must also play a role in ensuring a good economy for its citizens.  However,
the B.C. government must not become too involved in influencing business.  I
believe that, for the majority of the time, governments should strive to be as
neutral in society as possible.