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Alberta Legislature -- LNN

Alberta premier agrees with survey urging end to daylight time

Mar 6, 2020 | 1:44 PM

EDMONTON , AB. — Albertans recently surveyed want to end 49-years of Daylight Saving time and it appears Premier Jason Kenney is in agreement.

It’s an apropos time to discuss the issue again, as Minister of Service Alberta Nate Glubish, reminds everyone that they need to ‘spring forward’ one hour before going to bed this Saturday night.

“As many are aware, the government invited Albertans to participate in a survey last year about daylight saving time. Of the 141,000 Albertans who responded, 91 per cent told us they would prefer to stay on summer hours year-round, rather than continue to change their clocks twice a year.”

However, Glubish noted there were important elements to take into consideration, when attempting.

“With a decision about time zones, we must consider what our partners from other jurisdictions are doing and avoid taking actions that would leave Alberta out of sync with our neighbours. As part of that process, we are continuing to have conversations with key organizations and members of the business community.”

Yukon is scrubbing daylight time and Kenney notes the B.C. government wants to go in that direction as well.

The government will consult with airlines and other affected groups before making any decision, and Glubish says they are “actively reaching out to partners in Eastern Canada to discuss the option of moving together in unison.”

Alberta has been on daylight time since 1971 and, for now, residents will have to set their clocks ahead by one hour this weekend.

The former NDP government explored doing away with daylight time in 2017, but did not go ahead, in part over concerns about the impact on airline schedules and starting times for NHL games.