British Columbia permanent time change

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors voted to adopt permanent Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), ending semi-annual seasonal clock changes. This decision followed a regional survey where 89% of respondents favored ending seasonal shifts, with 66% specifically preferring permanent daylight time. The move aligns the region with Alberta to support economic and social ties, despite differing from the majority of British Columbia.

Subsequently, the province of British Columbia officially ended the practice of seasonal time changes, opting to remain on permanent daylight saving time. Following the final transition on March 8, 2026, the province will no longer revert to standard time in the autumn, with most of the region utilizing UTC-7 year-round.

Provincial leadership stated the move aims to simplify routines and support economic stability, noting that eliminating biannual shifts reduces disruptions for shift workers, small businesses, and parents. However, the change creates a new time difference between British Columbia and the United States, leading to concerns from business organizations regarding complications for cross-border operations.