Clock ticking on time change
Re: Why it's time to make a change in daylight-saving time, Oct. 13.
Jeremy Roberts covered the significant drawbacks to the practice of twice-a-year time shifting, and few would dispute them.
The rationale for daylight-saving time has varied from one time and place to another, but it only began in the early 20th century and has always been controversial. The claimed benefits include energy savings, but studies in the U.S. have found that total energy consumption rises during DST.
It's worth noting that a Canadian, Sanford Fleming, was the leading proponent for establishing standard time zones, which were internationally agreed at a conference in 1884. Although hard to imagine now, there was some strong resistance to Fleming's proposal, with claims that it interfered with God's will or that he was a communist for being too “internationalist.”
There's now growing interest in abandoning the biannual time shift (which Saskatchewan did in 1959). But the strange thing is that the leading proposal seems to be to adopt the summer time shift as the year-round standard. In other words, move the time zone eastward and, for example, replace Eastern Standard Time with the current Atlantic Standard Time. Where did this idea come from? More winter morning darkness for children on their way to school sounds like a bad idea. It may not matter so much in Florida, but it would be very different in Canada.
Yes, let's abandon DST completely and honour Fleming's legacy by not changing the clocks next spring. Our circadian rhythm won't be disrupted then, and we'll be able to enjoy Canada Day fireworks an hour earlier. David Wieland, Kars
Dumping time change would save us money
Thank you, Jeremy Roberts, for again raising this issue; hopefully this time around it will be successful. In addition to the positives you mention, I would like to add that savings in electricity, heat, gas, etc. would be realized.
In the early morning, the majority of people have either gone to work or school, or are sleeping; but in the late afternoon/ early evening, we are at home. With darkness descending even earlier with the time change, use of lighting, heating and other resources increases in a time when we are all trying to conserve. This has my vote.
Pat Tierney, Cardinal
Time change needs to be continentwide
Daylight-saving time probably has run its course and perhaps the time is nigh to put that policy to bed. It should be fundamental, though, that such change should not be implemented across Canada unless all North America comes on board.
North America is intrinsically linked in so many ways, and following the same time schedule is principal. A mistake was made when Canada went metric without the United States also doing so. The present DST change is in agreement with the greater U.S., and therefore, if the rule is altered or abolished, that change must also be in accordance with the U.S. It makes sense for all (or the majority) of North America to follow the same time (different time zones being considered), just as we all agree on the days of the week.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa