Daylight Saving Time
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Overview
Dates: June 24 to July 19, 2019
Who: The Ministry of Attorney General
What: A review of the public’s feedback on Daylight Saving Time
Where: Province-wide
Why: To determine whether B.C. should keep Daylight Saving
How: Online
Engagement summary
British Columbians were invited to share their views on how we should observe time in our province. Most areas in B.C. “spring forward” into daylight saving time (DST) during the summer months and “fall back” to standard time in the winter.
Participants were asked about continuing to change our clocks twice a year or adopting daylight saving time year-round. They were also asked about the importance of aligning time observance with neighbouring provinces, territories, and states. Engagement involved an online survey and the opportunity to send written submissions.
Results
- A record 223,273 British Columbians completed the survey
- More than 93% of respondents indicated they would prefer a move to permanent daylight saving time
- More than half (54%) responded that it was “important” or “very important” for B.C. to align its time observance with neighbouring jurisdictions
- Support for year-round observance of DST was higher than 90% across all industry groups and in all occupational groups, except for students
- 75% of those preferring year-round DST identified health and wellness concerns as a reason for their support
- 53% of respondents noted the benefits of additional daylight during the evening commute in winter, while 39% identified other safety concerns as reasons for their support
Stakeholder submissions
- BC Chamber of Commerce (PDF, 400KB)
- British Columbia Golf (PDF, 78KB)
- Canada West Ski Areas Association (PDF, 580KB)
- Circadian Light Therapy Inc. (PDF, 90KB)
- District of Fort St. James (PDF, 400KB)
- Executive Director and Level Three Guide, Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of B.C. (PDF, 390KB)
- French Association ACHED (PDF, 160KB)
- Island Health Medical Health Officers (PDF, 110KB)
- Kamloops Chamber of Commerce (PDF, 175KB)
- Rabbinical Council of America (PDF, 320KB)
- Save Standard Time (PDF, 130KB)
- Stop the Time Change in BC (PDF, 140KB)
- Vancouver Airport Authority (PDF, 78KB)
- Village of Burns Lake (PDF, 64KB)
Input leads to action
In October 2019, the Province introduced legislative amendments that will allow for future move permanent daylight saving time.
Read the What We Heard Summary Report (PDF, 2MB) for public feedback received throughout this engagement.
2026 update
In March 2026, it was announced that British Columbia will adopt permanent year-round daylight saving time. This was done to improve people’s overall health, reduce disruptions for families, simplify scheduling, and provide an extra hour of evening light during the winter months.
The transition will begin after the province “springs forward” on March 8, 2026, when clocks move ahead by one hour. This will be the final time change in British Columbia. Clocks would usually be turned back on November 1, but will now remain the same. At that point, the transition to the new time zone, Pacific time, will be complete. Pacific time will be set seven hours behind coordinated universal time (UTC-7).
Read the full news release: Adopting permanent daylight saving time
Learn more: Permanent daylight saving time
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