Alberta to End Twice-Yearly Time Changes, Adopt Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Alberta will eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and remain on daylight saving time year-round, Premier Danielle Smith announced in May 2024. The move aligns the province with growing North American momentum to end seasonal time shifts, citing public health, economic, and lifestyle benefits. The change requires federal approval but reflects widespread public support, with over 80% of Albertans favoring year-round daylight time in a 2021 government survey.

Premier Smith Confirms Permanent Daylight Saving Time Plan

During a televised address on May 28, 2024, Premier Danielle Smith confirmed that Alberta will no longer observe standard time in the winter months. Instead, the province will remain on daylight saving time (DST) permanently, meaning clocks will not “fall back” in November and will stay one hour ahead of standard time throughout the year.

“Albertans have spoken clearly: they dislike the disruption of changing clocks twice a year,” Smith said. “Staying on daylight saving time year-round will grant us more evening light in the winter months, improve public safety, reduce energy consumption, and support active lifestyles.”

The announcement follows similar commitments from neighboring provinces and U.S. States seeking to end the biannual time shift. Alberta’s move positions it as a leader in Western Canada on the issue.

Public Support Drives Policy Shift

The decision is rooted in strong public feedback. In 2021, the Alberta government conducted an online survey asking residents whether they preferred to remain on daylight saving time, standard time, or continue the current system. Over 180,000 Albertans participated, with 82% favoring year-round daylight saving time.

“The results were unequivocal,” said a government spokesperson. “Albertans want consistency, more evening light, and fewer disruptions to sleep and daily routines.”

Health experts have long highlighted the risks associated with seasonal time changes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine links the spring transition to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, workplace injuries, and traffic accidents due to sleep disruption.

By eliminating the fall return to standard time, Alberta aims to mitigate these risks although offering extended evening daylight during the darker winter months—a benefit particularly valued in northern communities where daylight is limited.

Path to Implementation Requires Federal Approval

While Alberta can pass provincial legislation to end seasonal time changes, the actual implementation requires approval from the federal government under the Canada Time Act. The federal government regulates time zones across Canada, and provinces must seek amendment to observe a time zone different from their geographically assigned standard.

Alberta currently observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) in winter and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) in summer. Remaining on MDT year-round would effectively shift the province to a time zone one hour ahead of its standard designation.

Premier Smith’s government plans to introduce legislation in the fall 2024 legislative session to formally end the time change. If passed, the province will then submit a formal request to Transport Canada for approval.

“We are confident Ottawa will approve this change,” Smith stated. “It reflects the will of Albertans and aligns with growing consensus across North America.”

Broader North American Trend Toward Time Reform

Alberta’s decision is part of a larger movement across Canada and the United States to end seasonal clock changes. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. Though the bill stalled in the House of Representatives, over 20 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions supporting year-round DST, pending federal approval.

In Canada, British Columbia passed legislation in 2019 to adopt permanent daylight saving time, contingent on alignment with U.S. Pacific Coast states. Ontario and Quebec have similarly debated similar measures, though none have yet received federal approval to implement the change.

Experts note that coordination with neighboring jurisdictions is critical to avoid confusion in transportation, broadcasting, and cross-border commerce. Alberta’s proximity to British Columbia and Saskatchewan—both of which do not observe DST—adds complexity, though Saskatchewan already remains on standard time year-round.

“Alberta’s move increases pressure on Ottawa to act,” said a policy analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute. “A patchwork of time rules creates inefficiencies. National or regional coordination would be ideal, but provinces are understandably moving ahead based on public demand.”

Potential Impacts on Neighboring Territories

The change could affect neighboring regions, particularly the Northwest Territories (NWT), which spans multiple time zones and currently aligns with Alberta’s Mountain Time in its southern regions. If Alberta remains on MDT year-round while the NWT continues to observe seasonal changes, it could create temporal inconsistencies for communities near the border.

Officials in the NWT have acknowledged the potential impact but noted that any decision would require consultation with Indigenous governments and local stakeholders. The territorial government has not yet taken a position on Alberta’s proposal.

For residents in border communities like Fort Smith and Hay River, a mismatch in time observance could affect scheduling for flights, healthcare services, and cross-border trade.

Health, Safety, and Economic Considerations

Proponents of permanent daylight saving time cite several potential benefits:

• Improved sleep and health: Eliminating clock shifts reduces sleep disruption linked to cardiovascular events and mood disorders.
• Increased evening activity: More daylight in the evening encourages outdoor exercise, youth sports, and recreational activities during winter months.
• Reduced crime: Studies show a correlation between increased evening daylight and lower rates of street crime.
• Energy efficiency: While original DST goals centered on energy savings, modern analyses are mixed; however, reduced lighting demand in early evenings may offer modest benefits.
• Economic activity: Extended evening light supports retail, dining, and tourism sectors, particularly in urban centers like Calgary and Edmonton.

Critics argue that permanent DST could lead to darker winter mornings, potentially affecting schoolchildren’s safety and circadian rhythms, especially in northern latitudes where sunrise may occur as late as 9:30 a.m. In winter.

Sleep researchers caution that aligning clocks with solar time—rather than enforcing year-round DST—may be healthier long-term. However, public preference consistently favors later evening light over morning brightness.

Next Steps and Timeline

Premier Smith’s government intends to introduce legislation amending Alberta’s Daylight Saving Time Act in the autumn 2024 session. If passed, the province will formally request that Transport Canada amend Alberta’s time observance under the Canada Time Act.

Approval timelines vary, but provincial-federal negotiations on time zone changes typically take several months. If approved, the change could take effect as early as November 2025, meaning Albertans would not set their clocks back in fall 2025 and would remain on daylight saving time indefinitely.

Until then, Albertans will continue to observe the seasonal clock change in fall 2024 and spring 2025, unless unforeseen delays accelerate the federal review process.

Conclusion

Alberta’s move to abolish twice-yearly time changes and adopt permanent daylight saving time reflects a clear public mandate and growing recognition of the downsides of seasonal clock shifts. While implementation depends on federal approval, the province is poised to join a growing number of jurisdictions seeking stability, health benefits, and lifestyle improvements through time reform.

As Premier Smith emphasized, the change is not merely about convenience—it’s about aligning provincial policy with the well-being and preferences of Albertans. If approved, the shift will mark one of the most significant updates to daily life in the province in recent years.