As B.C. scraps time change, experts have a warning about the risks

In a significant change to its timekeeping, the province of British Columbia will no longer observe daylight saving time this fall, according to Vancouver Coastal Health. Experts warn that this shift could have far-reaching consequences on various aspects of daily life. The morning commute, in particular, will be darker than usual, potentially discouraging individuals from walking or biking to school or work.

To mitigate this risk, health officials recommend wearing bright clothing, reflective gear, and making eye contact with drivers. Moreover, morning light plays a crucial role in setting the body's internal clock, which in turn supports healthy sleep patterns. Dr. Ralph Mistlberger, a psychology professor at Simon Fraser University, who co-authored a report on the subject, emphasizes that humans are dependent on morning light.

When the morning light is pushed later, it alters the clock, making it more challenging to wake up early and difficult to shift one's sleep-wake cycle. The disruption could lead to a misalignment between one's sleep patterns and social schedule. Patrick Baylis, an economist at the University of British Columbia, adds that the change will impact work schedules, especially for those with inflexible work hours.

The rule of thumb is that the less flexible one's work hours are, and the closer they are to sunrise, the more effective they will be. Consequently, workers who start their day before sunrise will face greater challenges due to the altered schedule. Additionally, British Columbians should anticipate a time difference with parts of the Pacific Northwest, such as Washington State.

After November 1, B.C. will be one hour ahead. Lastly, Alberta and Manitoba have also announced their intention to end the practice of changing clocks this year, while Quebec plans to scrap the time change as well. Saskatchewan and Yukon have not altered their time since 1966 and 2020, respectively.