What role should government play in regulating business?

We must ensure that essential protections are in place but not burden business with unnecessary red tape. Since 2001, we have reduced red tape by 47 per cent, and we have received the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's A grade six years in a row.

Government's job is to protect the public and the public good. It's reasonable to expect that if you pay for a pint of beer you get your 20 ounces, not 16. And that your drinking water won't be polluted by someone dumping waste. That's regulation. People depend on it.

Government represents the people, and its job is to protect the public interest, which is complicated and multifaceted. Its role in business regulation is to balance these factors and work in the best interests of British Columbians as a whole.