Breaking Free from the Clock: Why Most Canadians Stick with Daylight Saving Time While B.C. Opts Out
This Sunday, as clocks across Canada spring forward for daylight saving time, British Columbia will be making this adjustment for the very last time. But here's where it gets controversial: while B.C. embraces a permanent year-round daylight saving time, most other provinces are sticking with the twice-yearly clock changes. Why the divide? And what does this mean for the rest of the country?
The decision to abandon daylight saving time isn’t as straightforward as it seems. McMaster University political scientist Peter Graefe points out that it’s a classic collective action problem. “There’s no incentive for any single place to move unilaterally,” he explains. “But maybe it takes one place to take the leap, show that the sky doesn’t fall, and inspire others to follow suit.”
British Columbia’s Premier David Eby announced earlier this week that the province will adopt permanent daylight saving time, eliminating seasonal clock changes. Eby highlighted the numerous issues caused by these shifts: disrupted sleep patterns for children, parents, and even pets, leading to increased car accidents, health issues, and overall stress. “These changes have a huge, unnecessary impact on the lives of British Columbians,” he emphasized.
B.C.’s journey to this decision has been years in the making. Former Premier John Horgan repeatedly tried to end daylight saving time, but without success. In 2019, after the most popular public consultation in B.C.’s history—where 93% of participants supported permanent daylight saving time—the province passed legislation to create a Pacific Time zone with no seasonal changes.
Ontario took a similar step in November 2020, passing a bill to end time changes and stay on daylight saving time permanently. However, this move was contingent on Quebec and New York State adopting similar laws, which hasn’t happened yet. In March 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford hinted at an eventual shift, saying, “I think we’ll eventually stick with daylight saving time and just be like the rest of North America.”
Alberta’s stance is less clear. In 2021, a narrow majority (50.2%) voted to keep daylight saving time, but the current government, led by Danielle Smith, is re-examining the issue. Concerns include potential disruptions to airline schedules, professional sports, and the risk of Alberta becoming an outlier if neighboring provinces maintain different time systems. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, however, argues that the issue was settled by voters and suggests focusing on other priorities.
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of daylight saving time goes far beyond losing an hour of sleep. Rebecca Robillard, co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, explains that the time change disrupts the alignment between our biological clock and the natural cycle of the sun. “This affects not just sleep but also hormone release, insulin regulation, metabolism, and even neurological functions,” she says. The consequences? Increased sleepiness, mood swings, memory problems, and higher rates of stroke and heart attacks.
However, not everyone agrees with B.C.’s decision. Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a biology professor at York University, points out a potential downside: “In winter, permanent daylight saving time means darker mornings, which can be inconvenient and even dangerous. Our circadian clocks rely on morning light to reset, and without it, we can fall out of sync with the 24-hour cycle.”
Dr. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, a neurology professor at the University of Pittsburgh, argues that sticking with standard time is the better option. “The medical consensus is clear—if we’re going to pick one time, it should be standard time. Aligning our biological clock with the sun at noon leads to better health and safety outcomes.”
So, what’s next? While B.C. moves forward with its plan, other provinces seem hesitant to follow. But as the debate continues, one question remains: Is it time for Canada to rethink its relationship with the clock? What do you think? Should we stick with the status quo, or is it time for a permanent change? Let us know in the comments!
