Clocks will soon go back in Ontario and one politician hopes it's for the last time
Daylight saving time for 2021 is about to end and Ontarians will have to turn their clocks back—but one politician is hopeful it could be for the last time.
Nearly one year ago, Ontario passed legislation that would end the bi-annual changing of the clock, making daylight time permanent in the province. This means that residents will be able to experience more sunlight in the winter evenings, but it would remain dark in the mornings until nearly 9 a.m. in December.
But there was one big catch. The legislation only comes into effect if Quebec and New York agree to do the same.
"We're getting closer," Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West – Nepean, told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday. "I don't think I'll be able to get anything done in time for this year's fall back, but maybe in time for Spring-forward next year."
He said he's seeing "promising signs" that Quebec would be open to moving to permanent daylight saving time.
"Premier François Legault was asked about this in a press conference and he said he was open to the idea," Roberts said. "So we're continuing to push on that."
In terms of New York, Roberts said he's having less success with the idea and admits the state will be the biggest barrier to Ontario ending the time change practice.
"We haven't heard from the New York governor," Roberts said. "But we understand there is actually a state senator in New York who has put forward a piece of legislation that would bring New York into permanent daylight saving time."
WHEN DOES DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME END?
The time will change in Ontario at 2 a.m. on Nov. 7, marking the end of daylight saving time and bringing in darker evenings.
When daylight saving ends, the sun will set in Toronto at 4:59 p.m.
Roberts said he had always disliked having to change the clocks twice a year and it leaves him feeling sleepy in the days after.
According to experts, some people will experience a shock to their bodies' internal clock when the time changes, much like the jet lag experienced after flying across time zones.
Research shows that the disruption to the internal clock can cause increased rates of heart attacks, stroke, weight gain, anxiety and contribute to workplace injuries and car accidents.
Roberts added that one of the benefits of ending the twice-yearly change includes promoting more consumerism by giving residents more hours of daylight in the evening.
Daylight saving time started in Ontario in 1918.
On Tuesday, the results of Alberta's referendum on year-round daylight time were released and a tiny majority of Albertans voted against the province adopting it.
Less than 3,000 votes separated the 'yes' and 'no' camps, results released Tuesday morning show. Across the province, 50.2 per cent of voters voted ‘no,’ while 49.8 per cent voted yes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.