VICTORIA / TERRACE — British Columbians will adjust their clocks for the final time this weekend. On Monday, March 2, 2026, Premier David Eby officially announced that the province is moving to permanent, year-round daylight saving time (DST).
The transition begins this Sunday, March 8, 2026, when clocks “spring forward” by one hour. Unlike previous years,there will be no “fall back” on November 1. Instead, the province will remain on its new permanent time zone, simply called Pacific Time (PT).
Why the Change? The Case for Stability
The decision fulfills a 2019 promise following a record-breaking public consultation where 93 per cent of British Columbians voted to end the biannual time change.
Premier Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma cited several critical reasons for the shift:
- Public Health: Research shows that the “spring forward” shift is linked to increased heart attacks, strokes, and workplace injuries due to sleep deprivation.
- Road Safety: Data indicates a spike in motor vehicle accidents in the days following a time change as drivers struggle with fatigue.
- Stability for Families: Eby highlighted the “chaos” caused to the routines of parents, children, and even pets when clocks shift.
“We are done waiting,” Eby said, referring to the province’s previous stance of waiting for Washington, Oregon, and California to move first. “British Columbia is going to decide what’s best for us”.
The “Darker Morning” Reality for the Skeena Region
While the move provides an extra hour of evening light during the winter, it comes with a trade-off that will be felt acutely in Northern B.C. and the Skeena region.
By staying on daylight time during the winter months, sunrises will occur significantly later. In Terrace and the Skeena Valley, the sun will not rise until approximately 9:30 a.m. during the winter solstice in late December.
Potential Local Impacts:
- School Commutes: Students will be heading to school in total darkness for a significant portion of the winter.
- Workplace Safety: For those in the forestry and construction sectors, early morning shifts will begin well before dawn, necessitating enhanced lighting and safety protocols.
- Morning Productivity: Some sleep experts warn that the lack of morning sunlight can lead to “permanent jet lag,” making it harder for the body to wake up naturally.
Mixed Reactions – Business vs. Public
While the public remains largely supportive, the business community is divided.
- Support: Small businesses may see reduced administrative burdens by no longer having to reset complex scheduling and technology systems twice a year.
- Concern: The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) expressed concern over the “unilateral” move. They argue that being out of sync with Washington and California for half the year will create “headaches” for cross-border trade and travel.
Quick Facts: B.C.’s New Time Zone
| Feature | Details |
| New Name | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Final Time Change | Sunday, March 8, 2026 |
| Winter Alignment | Matches Alberta and the Peace Region (Nov–March) |
| Summer Alignment | Matches WA, OR, CA (March–Nov) |
| Exceptions | East Kootenay (remains aligned with Alberta) |
As B.C. charts this new course, the eyes of the Pacific Northwest are on Victoria to see if our American neighbors will finally be “pushed” to follow suit.
