MPP seeks to put Ontario on daylight saving time year-round

Private member’s bill would put end to ‘fall back, spring forward’

Daylight saving time would stay in place year-round starting in 2020 under a private member’s bill from a former Liberal cabinet minister who argues clock changes are too disruptive.

Marie-France Lalonde proposed the Sunshine Protection Act to provide more light in the evenings, and to end two clock changes a year that leave many people out of sorts for days at a time, often with disrupted sleep patterns, leading to health problems and traffic accidents.

“For me, it’s about a week I’m feeling it,” the MPP for the Ottawa-area riding of Orleans said Wednesday, referring to flipping the clocks ahead an hour for daylight saving time every March. This year it began March 10 and remains in place until Nov. 3.

The bill got unanimous consent of the Legislature at first reading, the first of several hurdles it must pass.

“I think it’s worthy of having the conversation,” said Government House Leader Todd Smith, whose office schedules legislation to be considered by MPPs.

“I’m not going to say that it’s going to become government policy. It’s something we should probably look at and have a further discussion.”

Lalonde said it’s her hope that legislators in the neighbouring provinces of Quebec and Manitoba also consider the idea while the bill awaits a call for second reading. Bills must pass three readings to become law, although private member’s bills rarely pass.

“If we sparked a debate, it would be good to take the lead on this one. The conversation has to happen now with other jurisdictions,” she added, acknowledging that going on permanent “summer time” would leave mornings darker longer during the winter. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner agreed that the bill could be helpful, but said more research is needed on the effect on trade with New York state and other jurisdictions that have traditionally been on the same time system as Ontario.

“It’s hard on families, especially with young kids, to have their sleep patterns changed twice a year. It’s disruptive for a few days,” the Guelph MPP added.

The legislation would put Ontario on a par with Saskatchewan, most of which does not switch to daylight saving time.

Federal cabinet minister Ralph Goodale taunted Canadians from other provinces this year at the switch, tweeting: “Thinking of you as you weather the calamity of Daylight Saving Time. Saskatchewan will be dozing soundly, while the scourge robs you of another hour of sleep tonight.”

About 70 countries use daylight saving time. Some are trying to scrap it and stay on standard or “winter” time. The European Union Parliament voted 410-192 last month to scrap the switch starting in 2021, leaving the next move to the union’s 28 national governments.

Daylight saving time was implemented during the First World War to save energy, allowing for more daylight in the evening hours.

“I’m not going to say that it’s going to become government policy. It’s something we should probably look at and have a further discussion.” TODD SMITH GOVERNMENT HOUSE LEADER