The Fernie time change survey needs your input as local governments consider how the southeast corner of British Columbia should observe time in the future.
The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. on August 3 and asks residents whether the region should adopt one permanent time or continue changing clocks twice each year.
It is being conducted by the Regional District of East Kootenay in partnership with the Town of Golden, Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A and local governments throughout the East Kootenay.
“A dedicated project page has been set up that has the online survey along with other information,” said RDEK Communications Manager Loree Duczek. “While it is being hosted by the RDEK, the survey covers the entire southeast corner of B.C. that is still on Mountain Time and is being done in partnership with all the local governments in the East Kootenay, Golden and CSRD Area A.”
The survey follows announcements from British Columbia and Alberta that both provinces will move to permanent year-round time observance. The changes would leave the southeast corner of B.C. as a small region continuing to change clocks twice each year unless a local decision is made.
Residents are being asked to consider three options:
Mountain Standard Time year-round:
Mountain Standard Time year-round: Fernie would be on the same time as the rest of B.C. and one hour behind Alberta. This option would provide more morning daylight and less evening daylight.
Mountain Daylight Saving Time year-round:
Fernie would remain aligned with Alberta and be one hour ahead of most of B.C. This option would provide more evening daylight and less morning daylight.
Continue changing clocks twice a year:
Fernie and the surrounding region would maintain the current seasonal time-change system.
For Fernie, the choice will affect its alignment with Alberta and the amount of usable evening daylight available for recreation, tourism, business and community activities.
The survey is non-binding. Its results will help inform future decisions but will not determine the outcome on their own. Legislative and implementation considerations would also have to be addressed.
Have your say on Mountain Time before the survey closes August 3. The survey is available at engage.rdek.bc.ca/timechange and takes only a few minutes to complete.
People without access to email or a computer can contact the RDEK to complete the survey by phone. Paper copies are also available upon request.
For assistance, email timechange@rdek.bc.ca or call 1-888-478-7335.
editor
