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
'The lost season': Winter comes to a close as Canada's warmest on record
The warmest winter on record could have far-reaching effects on everything from wildfire season to erosion, climatologists say, while offering a preview of what the season could resemble in the not-so-distant future unless steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.