Growing petition calls for Canadian province to ditch daylight saving time
Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, but not every province or territory in Canada is turning back the clocks.
This year, some provinces, including Manitoba and B.C., have announced an end to the semi-annual clock change, while others, like Newfoundland and Labrador, are sticking with the status quo — for now.
A petition launched by local resident Justin Merdsoy is gaining traction online, with more than 8,600 Newfoundlanders already calling on the province to put an end to daylight saving time once and for all.
“Historically, Newfoundland and Labrador is fairly conservative when it comes to adopting new practices,” Merdsoy tells Daily Hive. He believes the province is more likely to get on board if the other Maritime provinces are willing to abandon the clock change, too.
With signatures continuing to roll in and growing even more as October comes to an end, there’s a chance the petition could catch the attention of decision-makers, including the provincial government.
Merdsoy is “cautiously optimistic” about that.
“I’m going to push this thing as far as it will go and then let the chips fall where they may. I’m very happy with the amount of signatories so far and it shows that people are willing to mobilize for issues that matter to them,” he says. “I love anything that gives power back to the people.”
He adds that the petition still has a way to go to reach its goal of 12,000 signatures.
“I feel like we will have enough weight in the cart to create some effective and powerful forward momentum,” he explains.
And it’s not just about abandoning daylight saving time. The conversation could also open the door for Newfoundland and Labrador to rethink its time zone and align with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Currently, much of the province follows Newfoundland Time, which is half an hour ahead of the rest of Atlantic Canada. Merdsoy says he’s heard from plenty of people who support the idea of joining forces with the neighbouring provinces.
“Some people do think it’s a good idea to split the difference and get rid of the half hour and I don’t think that’s a terrible idea,” says Merdsoy.
Whatever the province ultimately decides, Merdsoy says the public should have a say.
He also points to the potential health impacts of changing the clocks twice a year, including disrupted sleep schedules and circadian rhythms, as well as reported associations with strokes and heart attacks.
“What made me start this petition was my own predisposition towards Seasonal Affective Disorder,” he says. “For myself and others that I know, the day getting dark at 4 p.m. is very depressing. It makes me literally wish I could hibernate like a bear.”
He’s certainly not alone.
“Giving us an extra hour of daylight at the end of a workday is a mental health gift I suspect all [Newfoundlanders] would benefit from,” writes Rolanda, a signatory to the petition.
“This outdated practice disrupts our sleep, affects our health, throws off our children’s routines, and makes everyday life harder for families, workers, and seniors,” writes Paula, another petition signatory.
Whatever comes next for Newfoundland and Labrador, Merdsoy says he’s proud to see people speaking up and exercising their democratic right to push for change.