Pandemic stalls discussion on abolishing seasonal time changes

This Sunday could be the final time Albertans have to set their clocks back an hour in the fall, as the provincial government continues to mull over abolishing seasonal time changes.

But with the topic put on the back burner during the pandemic, a decision about the future of seasonal time changes in Alberta isn't expected in the near future.

“Right now, Alberta's government is focused on Alberta's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tricia Velthuizen, press secretary to Alberta Service Minister Nate Glubish.

“For the time being, Albertans will continue changing their clocks this fall and in the spring.”

The province surveyed Albertans last November on whether they would scrap time changes and move to permanent daylight time, which is observed during the summer.

Of the 141,000 respondents, 91 per cent were in favour of permanent daylight time.

The topic could eventually go to a referendum, Premier Jason Kenney has said, with Albertans voting on whether to keep daylight time for the whole year.

Michael Antle, a University of

Calgary psychology professor whose research focuses on circadian rhythms, said he thinks the decision “shouldn't be a popularity contest” and should instead be determined by the province in consultation with experts.

“Governments are elected to make decisions on behalf of the populace, so expecting 4½ million Albertans to get educated on this, to know the pros and cons of each issue, isn't reasonable,” he said.

The biggest concern for Antle is a third choice he said the province isn't fully considering — staying on standard time year-round.

Alberta's geographical location means the province is already farther west than is ideal for mountain time.

In some parts of the province, high noon can occur as late as 12:50 p.m., something Antle said can negatively impact people because their biological clocks do not align with the sun's movement.

Being on daylight time during winter months would be like a “permanent state of jet lag,” he said, citing studies in jurisdictions with similar daylight hours that show elevated rates of absenteeism, heart attacks and car accidents.

“Choosing daylight time for Alberta is almost like double daylight time, because we would be having such extremely late dawns and extremely late dusks,” he said.

“The cost to society from a medical point of view will go up. The cost from a workforce point of view will go up, because people are going to be late for work and not as productive, with more on-the-job accidents because these people show up to work tired.”

For now, though, Albertans can enjoy an extra hour of sleep this weekend.

Remember to move your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday.