Manitoba considers move to permanent daylight time, but there are conditions
The Manitoba government is planning to do away with seasonal time changes and move to permanent daylight time, but only if the United States leads the way and the idea gets public support.
Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke introduced a bill in the legislature Thursday that would let the province ditch the annual ritual of moving clocks forward an hour in March and back an hour in November.
The aim, she said, is to stay in sync with trading partners south of the border if the U.S. adopts permanent daylight time.
"We do want to align with them because of the trade corridors and transportation and everything," Clarke said.
Ontario and British Columbia have passed similar laws that are also contingent on states south of the border adopting year-round daylight time. But there is no indication that might happen any time soon. A bill to adopt the change was passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate in March but has stalled in the House of Representatives.
Permanent daylight time was last considered in the United States in 2006. In the end, politicians voted to extend daylight time by three weeks in spring and one week in the fall, and Canadian jurisdictions that change clocks followed suit. Saskatchewan, with the exception of Lloydminster, hasn't changed clocks in over a century.
Manitobans will be consulted on the idea early next year, Clarke said. She admitted feelings are mixed.
"It's a very divided conversation among Manitobans."
Having daylight time year-round would maintain late sunsets in summer, but would also result in later sunrises in winter. In some areas, commuters and schoolchildren would make their morning journey in darkness.
Some sleep experts have said permanent standard time, which would lead to earlier sunrises and sunsets in summer, would be better.
Raymond Lam, a University of British Columbia professor and B.C. leadership chair in depression research, has said standard time is healthier and more in line with the body's circadian rhythm.
Russia experimented with permanent daylight time in 2011 but moved to permanent standard time three years later.
Manitoba's Opposition New Democrats conducted an online survey on time changes in 2019. The party never came to a conclusion.
"The results of that consultation were mixed. There's a lot of great polarized opinions on this question," NDP legislature member Adrien Sala said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2022
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.