East Kootenay locals no longer have to worry about adjusting their clocks seasonally. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board voted 12-3 on Friday to make mountain daylight time permanent, aligning the region with Alberta’s time system instead of following the majority of B.C.
This decision follows a period of debate regarding the preferred time standard for East Kootenay after the province announced the discontinuation of seasonal time changes, leaving mountain time communities to determine their course of action.
Initially, the RDEK board had chosen year-round mountain standard time for affected areas in March. However, this decision was revoked due to public resistance and calls for further consultation. A regional survey was launched, receiving over 14,000 responses, with 89% supporting a single year-round time and 66% favoring permanent mountain daylight time.
RDEK board chair Rob Gay emphasized the influence of the survey on the decision-making process, acknowledging the community’s strong ties to Alberta and the importance of factors such as health, business operations, public safety, and school schedules.
Residents expressed a desire for more daylight in the evenings, citing outdoor activities like sports, fishing, and hiking as reasons for the preference. Despite varying opinions, there was a unanimous agreement that the constant clock adjustments had become tiresome.
Looking ahead, when clocks would typically fall back in November, East Kootenay residents will maintain their current time. The RDEK will communicate its decision to neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A, allowing them to determine their time observance.
While the outcome may not satisfy everyone, the community’s engagement and the board’s careful consideration reflect the significance of this change. As the fall season approaches, East Kootenay residents can look forward to seasonal activities without the hassle of changing their clocks.