East Kootenay residents in British Columbia will no longer need to adjust their clocks twice a year following a recent decision by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board. The board voted 12-3 to adopt mountain daylight time permanently, aligning the region with neighboring Alberta rather than the majority of B.C.
The resolution comes after a period of deliberation, during which the RDEK originally considered transitioning to year-round mountain standard time but reversed the decision due to public resistance and calls for additional input. A regional survey conducted by the RDEK received over 14,000 responses, with 89% of participants expressing a desire to cease biannual clock changes and 66% preferring the adoption of permanent mountain daylight time.
RDEK board chair Rob Gay acknowledged the survey’s influence on the final verdict, emphasizing the significance of community feedback. The decision also took into account residents’ ties to Alberta, as well as considerations related to health, business operations, public safety, and school schedules.
The move towards permanent mountain daylight time was further supported by the survey’s indication that many residents favored having more daylight in the evening for outdoor activities post-work and school. Despite differing opinions within the region regarding the time change, the consensus was clear: residents were weary of adjusting their clocks and welcomed the decision for stability.
Looking ahead, the transition for RDEK residents will be straightforward – when the clocks would typically fall back in November, they will remain unchanged. The RDEK intends to inform neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A of their decision, allowing these areas to determine their own time observance practices.
While the resolution may not satisfy all residents, Gay emphasized the board’s commitment to addressing community concerns. As November approaches, East Kootenay residents can forego the task of resetting their clocks and instead focus on traditional fall activities like yard work and winter preparations.