Ontario MP’S bill would end time change

Province would need Que., N.Y. in agreement

An Ontario MPP is getting support for his private members’ bill, which could eliminate biannual time changes and make daylight time permanent.

Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West – Nepean, tabled Bill 214 on Wednesday. The bill — the Time Amendment Act — passed second reading at Queen’s Park with unanimous support from both the government and opposition. No date has been set for the third reading.

“Ontarian’s ( sic) are sick of this outdated practice that comes with serious consequences for our health,” Roberts said in a tweet. “My new bill would end this practice. Let’s work together with our neighbours and stop wasting time.”

Daylight time is the practice of advancing the clock to benefit from the afternoon light in warmer months. If implemented year- round, winter days in Ontario would start dark for multiple hours in the morning, but stay lighter into the evening. It would also get rid of the need for the biannual clock changes, as Ontario would no longer swap back to standard time in the winter.

In a letter written on Wednesday, Roberts brought up the substantial body of evidence about adverse effects of time changes.

“Academic studies from across the word have suggested that the biannual change can cause serious negative effects, such as increased depression rates, heart attacks, strokes, and higher numbers of fatal collisions.”

Although there’s mostly consensus on ending biannual time changing, some think that we should operate year round on standard time instead of daylight time. A researcher from York University even suggested that having light in the early morning is more beneficial to our bodies.

While attempts have been made in the past to end the time- saving practice, Roberts says this time it’s different. Bill 214 makes particular accommodations for Ontario’s neighbouring jurisdictions. The Attorney General would only enact the legislation if both Quebec and New York follow suit.

With some federal offices operating out of Gatineau, it would add unnecessary complications for Ontario to move ahead without Quebec. For New York, the problems are more financial and less legislative.

“I believe that by showing leadership in taking this step, Ontario can encourage our counterparts in Quebec and New York State to take similar action so that, together, we can put this issue to bed, and all be better rested for it,” said Roberts.

Yukon became the first region in Canada to move to year-round daylight time on March 8 this year. Saskatchewan and Nunavut don’t practise biannual changes either.

In the past, both Alberta and B. C. have floated the idea of making daylight time permanent.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been frustrated with the time change that we go through twice a year,” Roberts said.

Daylight time is set to end on Nov. 1 in Ontario.

That “fall back” is not expected to be impacted this year, regardless of whether the bill is successful.