Prepare for Shorter Days as Daylight Saving Time Ends in Canada
Daylight Saving Time Change: What Canadians Need to Know
As winter approaches, Canadians prepare for longer nights ahead. Daylight saving time will end on November 2, marking a significant transition as clocks move back one hour. Most Canadians will adjust their clocks on the night of November 1, ensuring they’re prepared when the clocks reset in the early morning hours of November 2. While many digital devices adjust automatically, it’s essential to verify clocks to avoid any confusion on Monday morning.
Impacts of Daylight Saving Time on Health
Daylight saving time has been a fixture in most Canadian regions for over a century. However, recent discussions suggest a growing momentum to abolish the practice. Neurology expert Dr. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse highlights the health impacts, including increased risks of stroke, heart attack, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, tied to clock changes.
A Political Push for Change
Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde is spearheading efforts to eliminate biannual clock adjustments in favor of a permanent time system by introducing a private member’s bill. Lalonde advocates for a pan-Canadian conference involving federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous stakeholders to establish a unified time regulation system.
Provinces Leading the Charge Against Time Change
The topic of ending daylight saving time has long been debated in Canadian provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Ontario introduced the Time Amendment Act in 2020 but awaits collaborative action from New York and Quebec due to shared economic ties. British Columbia passed related legislation in 2019, with action pending since American shifts depend on decisions in California.
Economic Considerations and Provincial Independence
B.C. Premier David Eby has expressed openness to unilateral provincial action if economic independence continues to grow. The changing dynamics of trade and synchronization with the U.S. remain critical factors in decision-making for provinces.
Historical and Health Context of Daylight Saving Time
Initiated by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895, daylight saving time originally aimed to extend daylight hours for outdoor activities. However, recent studies expose negative health effects. A 2019 Journal of Clinical Medicine report linked the time shift to increased heart attack risks, and a Finnish study in the Sleep Medicine journal noted a rise in stroke-related hospitalizations post-transition.
Canada’s discussion on permanent time change reflects an evolving understanding of the implications surrounding daylight saving time, both economically and for public health.
