Alberta is officially ditching the twice-yearly clock shuffle, but Premier Danielle Smith is taking a cautious "wait and see" approach to the controversial move.
This week, the government confirmed Alberta will shift to permanent daylight time, meaning residents won't spring forward or fall back ever again. Starting this fall, clocks will stay on daylight time indefinitely.
"Only time will tell if this is the right decision," Smith said, acknowledging the shift represents a significant change in how Albertans experience their day-to-day lives.
What Does Permanent Daylight Time Actually Mean?
The trade-off is stark: Albertans will face darker winter mornings but enjoy extended daylight in the evenings year-round. During winter months, sunrise could occur after 8 a.m. in some parts of the province, while summer evenings will remain bright well into the night.
Health researchers have raised concerns about the permanent daylight time approach. Some experts argue that standard time—the winter clock setting—aligns better with the human body's natural circadian rhythms, particularly during darker months when light exposure is limited.
A One-Year Trial Period
Smith indicated the government won't rush to reverse course. Albertans will have a full year to experience permanent daylight time before the province evaluates whether it was worth the switch.
"If Albertans are furious after the first year, we can absolutely revisit this," Smith acknowledged. "But we need to give people time to adjust before making a final call."
Coordination Across Western Canada
Alberta's decision is partly driven by regional timing. British Columbia has also adopted permanent daylight time, while Saskatchewan maintains year-round standard time. The government suggested its hands were somewhat tied by these neighbouring provinces' choices.
"We looked at what's happening across the region, and this made the most sense for Alberta," Smith noted.
For now, Albertans can expect their last clock change to happen this coming fall—and if all goes according to plan, they'll never adjust their clocks again. Whether that's a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
This article is based on reporting from Global Calgary.