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British Columbia is ending seasonal clock changes, adopting permanent daylight time to promote health and overall quality of life, according to their provincial government.
The move, announced by Premier David Eby, frames the policy as a win for wellness but experts warn that the consequences of shifting clocks permanently could be complex.
“When we spring forward, we lose an hour of sleep, and we’re also moving our social clock away from the sun, which our body wants to follow. So it’s like we’re making ourselves an hour jet-lagged every day. Your body doesn’t immediately adapt to that and can actually lead to some negative health impacts,” said Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a York University biology professor and circadian rhythm expert.
B.C.’s new system means winter mornings in Vancouver could start as late as 9:08 a.m., potentially affecting students, commuters, and shift workers who rely on early daylight.
Lakin-Thomas supports ending seasonal clock changes entirely. She points to research linking time shifts to higher rates of car accidents, workplace injuries, heart attacks, and strokes.
“Ideally, we would all follow the sun, scrap our clocks, and do what they did in the Middle Ages, before we had regulated clocks, do what farmers do, and get up with the sun,” Lakin-Thomas said. “That would be ideal. We can’t do that, but we can get rid of Daylight Saving,” she added.
While B.C. residents will now have a permanent schedule starting March 8, Ontario continues to observe seasonal clock changes. Hannah Jensen, Director of Media Relations for the Premier of Ontario, said via email that no decisions have been made regarding permanent daylight time.
In 2020, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 214, the Time Act, to make daylight savings time permanent as the standard time year-round if Quebec and New York State followed suit. This specification was made as it would be disruptive to trade, stock markets, energy, and broadcasting if Ontario alone changed its time zone. This means that Ontario has been waiting six years for Quebec (which has done initial public consultations) and New York State (which has introduced legislation similar to Ontario’s that is dependent on other states) to make their own time changes.
“Ontario continues to follow daylight saving time,” said Jensen.
For school communities, later winter sunrises could present challenges. Angela Saggese, a trustee on the York Catholic District School Board, explained, “Students who have to get to school in the dark could face difficulties concentrating, and parents are concerned about the safety of walking or taking the bus during dark hours.”
Parents and commuters in the GTA are also weighing the trade-offs. “I support ending the time changes because the spring forward and fall back are exhausting,” said Julia Polshuk, a Toronto commuter. “But darker winter mornings worry me. When I have to drive in the dark before work, I feel unsafe.”
As Canadians watch B.C.’s change, the debate over permanent daylight time versus permanent standard time continues.
No AI tools were used in the production of this piece.
