REGINA – News that Alberta is moving to year-round daylight savings time will have a definite impact on their neighbours in Saskatchewan.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Monday that Alberta would be moving to permanent Mountain Daylight Time this fall, meaning Alberta residents will no longer have to adjust their clocks backwards by an hour at that time. The indication is legislation will be introduced this week to bring about that change.
Once passed, it will mean that Saskatchewan and Alberta will share the same time year round, with Saskatchewan already observing Central Standard Time all year.
This change comes after word that British Columbia will also be doing away with clock changes and switch to Pacific Daylight Time year-round in that province — an hour difference from Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The news of Alberta's change was welcomed on social media by Premier Scott Moe.
“Once again, Saskatchewan is a leader in Canada. Glad to see Alberta joining Saskatchewan in staying on the same time as Saskatchewan year round,” Moe posted.
But there could be implications for those living in Lloydminster and area on the Saskatchewan side of the border, which basically observes Alberta time.
Under Saskatchewan's Time Act, that portion of the province is on Central Standard Time during the summer, and then switches to Mountain Standard Time during the winter months, in line with Alberta’s time changes and distinct from the rest of Saskatchewan.
With Alberta moving from Mountain Standard to Mountain Daylight Time year-round, the provincial Time Act may need updated language to ensure all of Lloydminster is on "Mountain Daylight Time" during winter as well.
“I think it’s very early to say what might happen with our legislation,” said Taylor Bendig, a senior legislative analyst with the Ministry of Government Relations.
He explained the area of the province impacted is called the Battle River Time Option area, that “basically aligns with the school division of the same name. And that dates back to when the Time Act was set up back in 1966.”
“All I can say is we will be reviewing our legislation and what steps we might need to take,” said Bendig.
