The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) will move forward with a regional survey to gather public input after the RDEK Board rescinded its previous motion to adopt year-round Mountain Standard Time.
The decision follows a formal reconsideration request by Elkford Director Fairbairn.
“Following our meeting last month, we received a significant amount of feedback from people on all sides of the decision, and one of the strongly expressed concerns was the lack of public consultation,” said RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “We recognize that the issue of time observance affects everyone in some way, and we have chosen to take a step back and conduct a regional survey to help inform future decision-making.”
At its Board meeting today, the Board voted 13–2 in favour of rescinding its previous motion and unanimously supported coordinating a regional survey. RDEK staff will now engage local governments within the East Kootenay, along with neighbouring jurisdictions including Golden and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, to develop a coordinated approach.
The survey will serve as the formal mechanism for gathering public input.
“Our staff will need time to develop the survey and communications plan in collaboration with partner local governments. While we do not yet have a timeline for release, it will be well communicated and allow time for broad participation,” said Gay.
While the non-binding survey will help inform future Board decisions, additional factors will also be considered. The RDEK continues to await direction from the Province regarding the legislative framework for potential time changes, as the implementation process remains unclear.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their concerns, support, and ideas following our meeting last month. It is clear there is a wide range of opinion and a great deal of passion on this issue. Today’s decision will give the public an opportunity to provide formal feedback through the survey once it is released,” Gay added.
On March 2, the Province announced the end of seasonal time changes for most of British Columbia, leaving regions in the Mountain Time Zone, including the East Kootenay, to determine their own approach. In response, on March 10, the RDEK Board voted 8–7 in favour of “falling back” one final time in November to align with the rest of the province on a permanent basis. That motion has now been rescinded, and any future decisions will follow the public consultation process.
