British Columbia’s move to permanent daylight saving time is being welcomed by many residents, but experts warn the change could come at a cost to children’s sleep, road safety and workplace productivity. The province’s decision to stop changing clocks has reignited a debate over how much daylight people gain in the evening and what they lose in the morning, when winter sunrises will come later. Dr. Patrick Baylis, an associate professor of economics at the University of British Columbia, co-authored a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that argues permanent standard time would be the healthier choice. “The evidence supports permanent standard time over permanent daylight time,” Baylis said. He points to research suggesting that later sunrises can disrupt sleep patterns, with potential consequences for people’s health and ability to function throughout the day. “We see that when people are exposed to light later in the day, when their sunrises are later, they just sleep less,” he said. Darker mornings raise safety concerns One of the most immediate concerns is what the change could mean for children travelling to school during the darkest months of the year. With daylight arriving later, students could be walking, cycling or waiting for buses in darkness while commuters are also on the roads. Baylis points to a 1974 experiment in the United States, when many parts of the country adopted year round daylight saving time in an effort to conserve energy. The policy was reversed after just one season, amid concerns about its consequences, including fatal incidents involving people travelling in the dark. “There were several fatalities early in that policy,” Baylis said. School districts in Greater Victoria are preparing families for the change, with safety messaging aimed at making children more visible to drivers. Paul Block, superintendent of the Sooke School District, says families and school staff will need to be mindful of the new morning conditions. “We really need to think about the safety of our kids, of our families and of our staff,” Block said. On Nov. 6, the Victoria, Saanich and Sooke school districts will take part in an initiative called “Let’s Get Visible,” raising awareness about darker winter mornings and encouraging safer travel habits across the capital region. Block says planning ahead and making visibility a priority will be essential. “The key message right now is really about planning your trip so that you know where you’re going, what routes that you’re going to be taking, and the other piece of that is being visible,” he said. Reflectors will be distributed to students in the participating school districts to help them stand out in low light. Drivers are also being urged to adjust their habits, particularly around schools and other areas where children are likely to be crossing roads. Block says motorists should slow down, pay closer attention to their braking and remain alert in high impact areas. Could the change impact B.C.’s economy? The potential consequences may extend beyond the morning commute. Baylis says research from the United States and Germany suggests later sunrises can be associated with lower productivity, raising questions about the broader economic impact of permanent daylight saving time. He estimates the potential economic effects could be significant, with some studies suggesting productivity losses of three to four per cent. “We find that when you have later sunrises, you have lower levels of productivity,” Baylis said. He believes sleep disruption could be a key factor, although changes to daily schedules could help lessen the impact. One possible solution would be to push back start times for schools and workplaces so people are not required to begin their days before daylight arrives. For now, however, later start times have not been part of the discussion. The real test comes this winter While the province’s decision reflects strong public support, the full effects of the change remain uncertain. In a 2019 public engagement survey, 93 per cent of participating British Columbians supported ending the seasonal clock changes. The result helped establish the public appetite for a permanent time system, but it does not necessarily answer questions about how the darker mornings will affect daily life. Baylis says people may not fully appreciate the difference until they experience the later winter sunrises firsthand. “It’s hard to know what it is going to feel like to not have light until 9:30 a.m. during the winter until you actually feel it, and I think that might be something that people will be responsive to,” he said. For families, school districts and employers, the coming winter will be an opportunity to see how the change plays out in practice. Whether permanent daylight saving time delivers the brighter evenings people want without creating unexpected challenges in the morning is a question B.C. will have to answer as the season unfolds.
