East Kootenay locals can scratch one task off their autumn checklist: adjusting their clocks. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board made a decisive 12-3 vote on Friday to eliminate biannual clock changes and institute mountain daylight time permanently. This choice aligns the region with Alberta rather than following the majority of British Columbia in terms of timekeeping.
This resolution concludes months of deliberation over the time standard to be adopted in East Kootenay following the provincial announcement that most of B.C. would cease seasonal clock adjustments, leaving mountain time communities to determine their time protocol independently.
Initially, in March, the RDEK board had decided to transition affected areas to year-round mountain standard time, which would have synchronized the region with most of B.C. However, this decision was revoked later due to public resistance and demands for increased consultation.
Conducting a non-binding regional survey, the region received over 14,000 responses. The survey revealed that 89% of participants favored discontinuing biannual clock changes and sticking to a single time all year, with 66% preferring permanent mountain daylight time. Although the survey was not the sole influencing factor, RDEK board chair Rob Gay acknowledged its significance in the decision-making process.
Many residents and businesses in East Kootenay have strong affiliations with Alberta, particularly in areas like the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. Factors such as health, business operations, public safety, school schedules, and the desire for more evening daylight were also considered by the board before finalizing their decision.
Residents in the RDEK will experience a straightforward transition: instead of the usual November clock adjustment, they will maintain the current time. The RDEK plans to inform neighboring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A, which still need to determine their time observance.
While the decision may not please everyone, it marks the end of clock changes for East Kootenay residents, allowing them to focus on typical fall activities minus the clock adjustments.