Private members bill would pave way for permanent Daylight Saving Time

A member of the Ford government has introduced a bill that would see Daylight Saving Time permanently in place in the province.

Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, tabled the bill in the legislature which calls for an end to the bi-annual practice of changing clocks.

However, the measure would only take effect if neighbouring Quebec and New York State enact similar legislation.

Roberts says while past proposals to eliminate the time change have been met with resistance due to logistical difficulties, his bill would give the Attorney General the discretion to implement the change when its appropriate.

The bill passed second reading at Queen’s Park on Wednesday with unanimous support of all parties.

“I see this as an important first step towards fulfilling the public’s overwhelming desire to end this out-of-date practice,” Roberts said in a statement.

“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.’

Both Quebec and New York State have not put forth any legislation related to Daylight Saving Time, but Roberts said he hopes this bill will spark a conversation.

He also explained why those two specific places have to be on the same time zone as Ontario.

“With New York, we benefit from being on the same time zone as the market in New York City so it would be in our benefit to maintain that commonality,” said Roberts. “For Quebec, there is a logistical reason for this. Half the federal government in Gatineau, QC while half is in Ottawa … which could cause some problems.”

Academic studies have suggested that the bi-annual changing of the clocks can cause serious negative effects, including increased depression, heart attacks and strokes, and a higher number of fatal collisions.

Roberts says permanent daylight saving time would help promote more retail activity by giving consumers more hours of evening daylight.

Clocks are currently set to return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. on November 1.

Currently the Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, some locations in Quebec and some areas in British Columbia do not switch to Daylight Saving Time and stay on standard time all year.