Residents of East Kootenay will no longer have to remember to change their clocks as the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board voted 12-3 to adopt mountain daylight time permanently. This decision aligns the region with Alberta’s time system, diverging from the majority of British Columbia. The vote concludes a prolonged debate on the appropriate time standard for East Kootenay after the province announced the cessation of seasonal time changes, leaving mountain time communities to determine their path.
Initially, the RDEK board had proposed a shift to year-round mountain standard time, aligning the region with most of British Columbia. However, this decision was revoked following public opposition and requests for further consultation. A regional survey was conducted, garnering over 14,000 responses, with 89% advocating for the discontinuation of biannual clock changes and 66% preferring permanent mountain daylight time. Board chair Rob Gay emphasized that while the survey was influential, other considerations such as ties to Alberta, health, business operations, public safety, and school schedules were also pivotal in reaching a resolution.
Gay highlighted the strong connections between East Kootenay residents and businesses with Alberta, particularly in regions like the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. The desire for more daylight in the evenings for recreational activities like sports, fishing, and hiking was a prevalent sentiment among the survey respondents. The consensus was clear – the community was fatigued with clock adjustments and sought a stable time system.
The transition for East Kootenay residents will be straightforward: when clocks would traditionally “fall back” in November, they will remain unchanged. The RDEK plans to inform neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A of their decision, allowing them to determine their time observance independently. While some residents may not fully endorse the verdict, the board acknowledged the seriousness with which the matter was approached. As the fall season approaches, activities like leaf-raking and winter preparation will proceed as usual, but the chore of changing clocks will no longer be part of the routine.