B.C.’s new jobs minister said innovation is still a priority in the province even though it no longer appears in the minister’s title.
Premier David Eby shuffled his cabinet earlier this month as a “strategic shift” to focus on jobs and the economy. Ravi Kahlon, who has been serving as housing minister, was appointed minister of jobs and economic growth—a rebranded role of the previous minister of jobs, economic development and innovation.
“I've heard from some in the innovation space that there were some concerns that perhaps innovation wouldn't see the same supports, but that simply is not the case,” Kahlon told the BIV.
He said innovation is not just one ministry.
“It is in every ministry," said Kahlon, the MLA for Delta North. "Every minister has a file driving the innovation piece and our work, whether it's in AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing or life sciences, and the list goes on, all of that will continue as normal.”
Eby said July 17 he "needed Ravi" back in the jobs and economic growth ministry, a portfolio he previously headed from 2020-22.
UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest said Kahlon has assumed the role that Eby held under late premier John Horgan in handling the most difficult files.
"I think Mr. Kahlon being shifted to [the] jobs [ministry] suggests that that is an area where government was underperforming, and Eby needs someone that he can absolutely count on to play that role," Prest told the Canadian Press earlier this month.
Kahlon said the new title reflects a “clear direction” from Eby that B.C. will take the lead in growing the economy and helping Canada strengthen its resilience in the face of economic uncertainty and tariffs from the U.S.
He added that he will continue to lead the province’s innovation files alongside B.C. Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies Rick Glumac. Glumac was the Minister of State for Trade before the July appointment.
The B.C. government has begun preliminary work on an updated economic strategy, aiming to reflect the current environment and highlight new opportunities for growth.
Kahlon said he hopes to release the strategy in October. In the meantime, the province will continue to focus on expanding trade relationships—especially with markets such as South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico and several European countries.
“I appreciate that there's a lot of uncertainty, but my message to the business community is that we are a strong province,” he said. "We have the energy, the critical minerals, the innovation, the people to be able to be successful.”
“No matter the tariffs, no matter what the situation from down south is, the work we're going forward is to ensure that we never become reliant on just one jurisdiction, that we have various trading partners.”
—With files from the Canadian Press
