East Kootenay residents in British Columbia have decided to make a significant change to their timekeeping routine. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board voted 12-3 on Friday to eliminate the practice of changing clocks twice a year and instead adopt mountain daylight time as the permanent standard. This choice aligns the region with neighboring Alberta, diverging from the rest of British Columbia.
The decision marks the culmination of a lengthy deliberation process regarding the appropriate time zone for East Kootenay residents following the announcement by the province that most of British Columbia would cease seasonal time changes, leaving mountain time communities to determine their own course of action.
Initially, the RDEK board had voted in March to transition affected areas to year-round mountain standard time, which would have synchronized them with the majority of British Columbia. However, this decision was later reversed due to public resistance and calls for increased consultation.
Following a regional survey that garnered over 14,000 responses, it was revealed that 89% of participants favored discontinuing biannual clock changes and adhering to a consistent time throughout the year, with 66% expressing a preference for permanent mountain daylight time. RDEK board chair Rob Gay emphasized that while the survey was influential, it was not the sole factor influencing the directors’ decision-making process.
Gay highlighted the strong ties that many East Kootenay residents and businesses have with Alberta, particularly in regions such as the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. Factors such as health considerations, business operations, public safety, and school schedules were also taken into account before the final resolution was reached. The desire for more daylight during the later part of the day was a common sentiment expressed in the survey, reflecting the community’s penchant for outdoor activities post-work and school hours.
The upcoming change means that East Kootenay residents will no longer need to adjust their clocks in November as they typically would. The RDEK intends to inform neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A of their decision, as these regions still have pending choices regarding time observance.
While some residents may be disappointed by the outcome, Gay emphasized that the board approached the decision with seriousness and acknowledged that not everyone would be in full agreement. Nonetheless, come November, East Kootenay residents can bid farewell to the tradition of changing clocks and instead focus on other fall tasks such as yard work and winterizing their belongings.