Survey asks about ending clock changes in BC

Residents in the southeast corner of British Columbia are being asked to weigh in on whether the region should continue changing clocks twice a year or move to permanent year-round time observance.

A new public survey launched July 3 and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 3. The survey is being conducted through a partnership between the Regional District of East Kootenay, the Town of Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A.

RDEK Communications Manager Loree Duczek said a dedicated project page has been created for the survey and supporting information.

“While it is being hosted by the RDEK, the survey covers the entire southeast corner of BC that is still on Mountain Time and is being done in partnership with all the local governments in the East Kootenay, Golden and CSRD Area A,” said Duczek.

The survey is available online at https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/timechange and is non-binding, meaning the results will help inform future decisions but will not determine the outcome on their own.

Any future decision would also have to consider other factors, including legislative and implementation requirements.

The survey follows recent announcements by the governments of British Columbia and Alberta regarding changes to time observance. Those changes would see both provinces move to permanent year-round time observance, with B.C. permanently one hour behind Alberta.

That would leave the southeast corner of B.C. as a small area still changing clocks twice a year unless a local decision is made to change the practice.

Residents are being asked to consider three options.

The first is to remain on Mountain Standard Time year-round, which would align the region with the rest of British Columbia, place it one hour behind Alberta and provide more daylight in the morning and less in the evening.

The second option is to remain on Mountain Daylight Saving Time year-round, which would place the region one hour ahead of the rest of British Columbia, align it with Alberta and provide more daylight in the evening and less in the morning.

The third option is to continue the current practice of changing clocks twice each year.

Local governments are encouraging as many residents as possible to complete the survey. People without access to email or a computer can contact Duczek at the RDEK to complete the survey by phone. Paper copies are also available upon request.

After the survey closes, participating local governments will review the results and determine next steps.

For more information or to request assistance completing the survey, visit https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/timechange, email timechange@rdek.bc.ca or call 1-888-478-7335.