An MP is advocating for the discontinuation of daylight saving time changes in Canada and is set to propose a bill to formalize a year-round standard time. Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde expressed the need to address the practice of adjusting clocks twice a year, which is currently observed in most Canadian jurisdictions. Lalonde’s private member’s bill aims to prompt the federal government to convene a conference involving various stakeholders to establish a consistent time system.
While Saskatchewan, Yukon, parts of B.C., and Nunavut do not follow the time change tradition, other provinces have contemplated abandoning the practice but have not taken definitive action. Atlantic premiers considered adopting permanent daylight time in 2022 but await leadership from other regions. B.C., Manitoba, and Ontario have aligned their time change policies with select U.S. states, while Quebec and Northwest Territories have explored eliminating time changes without finalizing decisions.
In 2021, Alberta conducted a referendum on continuing the biannual clock adjustments, with a slim majority voting in favor of maintaining the current practice. Lalonde emphasized the importance of a collective national dialogue to determine the way forward, urging unity among provincial and territorial governments.
Critics argue that the semiannual time changes have negative health and safety implications, including increased risks of strokes, heart attacks, and car accidents. Potential shifts to permanent daylight time could disrupt sleep patterns, particularly during winter when mornings would be darker. Alternatively, a switch to standard time could lead to earlier sunsets in summer and variable sunrise times across the country.
Rébecca Robillard from the Canada Sleep Research Consortium supported Lalonde’s initiative, emphasizing the need for societal considerations over individual preferences in deciding on time change policies. Lalonde acknowledged that the legislative process for her bill may be slow due to its private member nature but underscored the importance of initiating discussions on the matter.