Manitoba is making the move to permanent daylight time. Premier Wab Kinew made the announcement on Thursday, saying the decision was based on public feedback and preferences. “We heard from Manitobans loud and clear — no more changing the clocks in Manitoba,” Kinew said in a news release. “Permanent daylight saving time is good for our health, good for business and good for parents.” The change means Manitobans’ clocks will not move back to standard time on Nov. 1. It also means Manitoba joins several other provinces and territories that have already transitioned to a permanent time, including British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northwest Territories. “Permanent daylight saving time is good for Manitoba businesses,” said Loren Remillard, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “More daylight in the evening means more opportunity for restaurants, retailers, farmers, and communities across our province to make the most of the day. Ending the twice-a-year clock change reduces friction for companies working across provincial borders and offers all Manitobans greater predictability and stability.” Pediatric sleep consultant Joleen Dilk Salyn said she’s glad to see the move away from seasonal time changes but questions the decision to choose daylight saving time over standard time. “Our bodies are regulated by morning sunlight,” she said. “Now we’ve moved everything later, so it’s going to be an hour later that the sun is cueing our bodies to get going. That’s going to be very hard in the winter.” Under daylight saving time, the shortest day of the year, Dec. 21, Winnipeg will see the sun rise at 9:24 a.m. and set at 5:30 p.m. Dilk Salyn said that means for youngsters heading to school in the dead of winter, their first recess of the day could still be in the dark. CTV News previously reported that the province launched a survey to gauge public opinion on ending seasonal time changes. According to the province, nearly 72,000 votes were submitted, with 92 per cent of respondents wanting to move to a permanent time. Manitoba added that 58 per cent of those surveyed wanted to stay on daylight time, while 34 preferred to stay on standard time. The Manitoba government is now collaborating with organizations, businesses and industry partners as it works to transition to permanent daylight time.
