Residents of East Kootenay 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 make mountain daylight time permanent, aligning the region with Alberta’s time system instead of most of British Columbia. This resolution comes after months of deliberation triggered by the provincial announcement that most of B.C. would cease seasonal time changes, leaving mountain time communities to determine their time observance independently.
Initially, in March, the RDEK board had opted to transition affected areas to year-round mountain standard time, aligning them with the majority of B.C. However, this decision was later reversed due to public opposition and requests for additional input. A subsequent regional survey conducted by the region received over 14,000 responses, with 89% of participants advocating for an end to biannual clock changes and 66% preferring permanent mountain daylight time.
RDEK board chair Rob Gay emphasized that while the survey played a significant role in the decision-making process, other factors such as residents’ ties to Alberta, health considerations, business operations, public safety, and school schedules were also taken into account. Many residents expressed a desire for more daylight in the evenings to engage in outdoor activities after work and school.
Looking ahead, residents in the RDEK will maintain a consistent time throughout the year, avoiding the customary clock adjustments in November. The RDEK plans to inform neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A of their choice, as these areas still need to finalize their timekeeping practices. Despite potential dissent among some residents, the decision reflects a collective effort by the board to address community preferences and concerns. Come November, East Kootenay residents can focus on seasonal tasks like yard work and winter preparations without the added chore of changing their clocks.
