In response to your editorial “It’s about time to quit moving clocks ahead,” I must say that I could not agree more. It would be a great relief to join the other parts of Canada that do not observe daylight saving time.
However, the B.C. government’s 2019 interpretation amendment act to allow for a future move to permanent daylight saving time is not the solution. We were given the opportunity to vote for one of two things: daylight saving time, or continuing with the time change. There was no option to vote for standard time. No choice to quit daylight saving time altogether. Why should we remain in post-First World War thinking?
Also, there has been a considerable amount of research done regarding the advantages of remaining on standard time, and avoiding daylight saving time altogether. Improvements in the following areas have all been cited by science: immune system functioning, sleep patterns, circadian rhythm, and mental health. Please don’t take my word for it, look into it for yourself, everyone.
I am grateful that the Americans have not voted to stay on daylight saving time 100% of the time. That would mean that we were locked-stepped into it. Yes, it would be inconvenient regarding cross-border trade, but perhaps our health is more important.
It is time for the provincial government to give us a real choice.
Dianne Omness
Victoria
