Residents in Golden, CSRD Electoral Area A and the East Kootenay are being asked to weigh in on how the southeast corner of British Columbia should observe time in the future.
A new public survey has been launched to gather feedback from communities in the region that remain on Mountain Time and still change their clocks twice a year. The survey is being conducted through a partnership between the Regional District of East Kootenay, the Town of Golden and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Electoral Area A.
The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. on August 3.
“A dedicated project page has been set up that has the online survey along with other information,” said RDEK communications manager Loree Duczek. “While it is being hosted by the RDEK, the survey covers the entire southeast corner of B.C. that is still on Mountain Time and is being done in partnership with all the local governments in the East Kootenay, Golden and CSRD Area A.”
The issue has gained renewed attention following recent announcements from the governments of British Columbia and Alberta regarding changes to time observance. Those changes would see both provinces move to permanent year-round time observance, with B.C. permanently one hour behind Alberta.
That would leave the southeast corner of B.C. in a unique position. Unless a local decision is made to change the current practice, the region would remain one of the few areas still changing clocks twice each year.
What are the options?
The survey asks residents to consider three possible choices.
• Stay on Mountain Standard Time year-round: This would align the region with the rest of British Columbia and place southeast B.C. one hour behind Alberta. It would mean more daylight in the morning and less in the evening.
• Stay on Mountain Daylight Saving Time year-round: This would align the region with Alberta and place southeast B.C. one hour ahead of the rest of British Columbia. It would mean more daylight in the evening and less in the morning.
• Keep changing clocks twice a year: This would maintain the current system, with the region continuing to switch between standard time and daylight saving time each year.
The survey is non-binding, meaning the results will help inform future decisions but will not determine the outcome on their own. Any future decision would also need to consider other factors, including legislative and implementation requirements.
Local governments are encouraging as many residents as possible to take part.
Residents can complete the survey online at engage.rdek.bc.ca/timechange. Those who do not have access to email or a computer can contact Duczek at the RDEK to complete the survey by phone. Paper copies are also available upon request.
Once the survey closes, participating local governments will review the results and determine next steps.
For more information or to request help completing the survey, email timechange@rdek.bc.ca or call 1-888-478-7335.
