Residents of East Kootenay no longer need to worry about changing their clocks as the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board has decided to make mountain daylight time permanent. The board voted 12-3 to follow Alberta’s time system, aligning with the province rather than the majority of British Columbia.
This decision comes after months of deliberation following the announcement that most of B.C. would eliminate seasonal time changes, leaving mountain time communities to determine their preferred time observance. Initially, the RDEK board had voted to switch affected areas to year-round mountain standard time, but this was later reversed due to public resistance and calls for more input.
A regional survey conducted by the region garnered over 14,000 responses, with 89% of participants expressing a desire to cease biannual clock changes and stick to a consistent time throughout the year. Additionally, 66% of respondents favored permanent mountain daylight time. RDEK board chair Rob Gay highlighted the significance of the survey results in influencing the final decision-making process.
The East Kootenay region’s strong ties to Alberta, particularly in areas like the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass, played a significant role in the board’s considerations. Other factors such as health, business operations, public safety, and school schedules were also taken into account before reaching a conclusion.
Residents expressed a preference for more daylight in the evenings to engage in outdoor activities post-work and school hours. Despite differing opinions on the matter, the consensus across the region was a shared weariness of changing clocks, prompting the decision to discontinue this practice.
Moving forward, when clocks would traditionally fall back in November, residents in the RDEK will maintain their current time setting. The RDEK will communicate its resolution to neighboring local governments, Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A, for their own time observance decisions.
While some residents may not fully approve of the board’s ruling, the decision reflects a thoughtful consideration of community preferences and practical implications. As the fall season approaches, East Kootenay residents can skip the clock-changing routine and focus on other seasonal tasks.
