It’s that time of year again, Victoria! But this time, it’s different. When clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 8th, it will mark the final time change in British Columbia.
The BC government announced Monday that clocks will move ahead by one hour this weekend as usual. However, when November 1st arrives, the date clocks would normally “fall back,” no change will occur.
This time change signals us moving towards longer evenings and getting one step closer to the official start of spring on March 20th.
Bright and early on Sunday, March 8th at 2 a.m., British Columbians (and most Canadians) will adjust their clocks forward one hour to 3 a.m.
At that point, BC will remain on what will be known as Pacific time year-round, set at UTC-7.
Premier David Eby said the decision is aimed at improving overall health and reducing disruptions for families and businesses.
“Every parent knows that changing clocks twice a year causes a significant amount of chaos on already busy lives,” Eby said in a statement.
“This decision isn’t just about clocks. It’s about making life easier for families, reducing disruptions for businesses and supporting a stable, thriving economy.”
The move follows extensive public engagement in 2019, when the Province says more than 223,000 people participated in consultations.
According to government data, 93% supported adopting year-round daylight saving time.
The Province cited several expected benefits, including fewer disruptions to sleep schedules, simplified planning for transportation and technology services, and more evening daylight during the winter months.
While we’ll lose an hour of sleep, we’ll gain extra daylight in the evenings—a welcoming sign that warmer days are on the way!
The purpose of DST is to make better use of natural daylight, especially in the spring and summer months. By shifting the clocks forward, we get more daylight in the evenings, allowing people to enjoy longer days and more outdoor activities.
While most of BC observes DST, there are a few exceptions. Some areas, including the Peace River Regional District and parts of the East Kootenay region, do not follow DST. But here in Victoria, we’ll be springing forward as usual!
If you can, try to get a bit of extra rest or allow yourself some extra time to wake up as your body adjusts. It’s always a little tough to adjust the first morning after the time changes, but it won’t take long before you’re back on track.
The Province says it will work with organizations and businesses over the next eight months to ensure a smooth transition before November 1st.
After this weekend, BC’s twice-a-year clock changes will officially come to an end.
