Premier David Eby has unveiled his third cabinet, making a series of strategic moves designed to align government leadership with BC’s economic priorities—and bringing key players back to portfolios critical to the province’s tech and innovation sectors.

Ravi Kahlon returns to familiar ground as Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, a rebranded role that signals a continued focus on attracting investment and building economic resilience. Kahlon previously led the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation from 2020 to 2022, overseeing pandemic-era recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, Diana Gibson, who held the Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation portfolio after her election in 2024, has been shuffled out. Gibson, an entrepreneur and expert in social policy, had expressed optimism about the ministry’s impact during her short tenure, telling Vancouver Tech Journal in 2024 that the ministry was “punching above its weight” in delivering for the province. She didn’t have long to put her mark on the innovation file.

The tech industry will take note of Rick Glumac’s appointment as Minister of State for AI and New Technologies. Glumac, who served as Parliamentary Secretary for Technology from 2017 to 2020, is no stranger to the sector. His return to a tech-focused role comes at a pivotal time as BC seeks to cement its position in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The new cabinet also reflects broader shifts in priorities, with a majority of women (19), eight ministers of colour, and a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh perspectives. Premier Eby described the shuffle as “responsive to the changing needs of our province,” emphasizing the need to grow the economy and make BC less reliant on the US.

For BC’s innovation community, the moves bring both continuity and fresh energy—but also raise questions about whether there’s enough stability at the top to sustain momentum in a fast-moving sector.