East Kootenay residents in British Columbia will no longer have to adjust their clocks twice a year as the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board recently voted 12-3 to adopt permanent mountain daylight time. This decision aligns the region’s timekeeping with that of Alberta, diverging from the majority of British Columbia.
The RDEK board initially considered moving affected areas to year-round mountain standard time earlier in the year but reversed the decision following public opposition 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 the biannual clock changes in favor of a consistent time throughout the year, and 66% preferring permanent mountain daylight time.
The board chair, Rob Gay, acknowledged the significance of the survey results in influencing the final decision, alongside factors such as residents’ ties to Alberta, health considerations, business schedules, public safety, and school schedules. Many residents in the East Kootenay region value having more daylight later in the day for recreational activities like sports, fishing, and hiking.
Residents in the RDEK will not adjust their clocks when the seasonal change would typically occur in November, as the region transitions to permanent mountain daylight time. The decision will be communicated to neighboring local governments, and while it may not please everyone, the board stands by its choice. Come November, East Kootenay residents can enjoy their fall without the task of changing their clocks.