“When it comes right down to it, he’s apprehensive to be the leader, but I guarantee if he leads, the rest of the country would follow”, says Stop the Time Change

Today the government of BC invited us to share our views on how time should be observed in our province. ... and one of the people going crazy since that announcement today, is Tara Holmes, co-founder with Bob Dino, of the group Stop the Time Change. The group was started in 2015, with a goal of doing their best to see things through within five years.

“Our supporters will do anything we ask them.  Anytime we ask them to send a letter to an MLA they do -- this is close now”, stated Holmes.

“The survey’s really easy.  I looked at it and it took three minutes.  It’s simple so hopefully everyone does it”, she continued

According to the provincial government, the online survey will be available from June 24, 2019, to July 19, 2019, at the link below. The survey website has background information on the history of time observance in British Columbia and the impact of various options, such as changes to the timings of sunrise and sunset at different times of year. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete

While there were a couple of other groups in BC working towards the same goal, Holmes stated;

“Yah, you know, a couple people – but they were shocked at how many followers we got so quickly.  They kind of stopped their groups and came over to ours.”

“We went down and had a meeting with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Minister Mike Farnworth, and we’ve been over to the Okanagan and met with some constituents there, and MLA’s, and UBCM.  Just over time it’s been good and with the local Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, the Provincial Chamber on board as well ... we’ve taken the steps and it’s good”.

Most areas of the province “spring forward” into daylight saving time during summer months, and “fall back” to standard time in the winter. I asked Tara, what’s one of the biggest, or main reasons, to stop the time change.  This is what she had to say:

Safety! I mean there’s so many reasons.  There’s lists and lists that experts and educators have put together, and doctors that have done thesis really deep in to it.  But I would say for us, when we really started this, it all started about safety”.

And a lot of parents will identify with; their kids start driving, and they get those L’s and N’s, and distracted diving being such a worry.  When Fall-Back happens and sudden darkness, we have pedestrians are at risk and ICBC’s accidents rates go high on the Monday the after the time change forward.  There’s proof that by instant darkness, that you’re really risking a lot of accidents”.

Those thoughts, from Tara Holmes and Stop the Time Change, are likely why Premier John Horgan indicated:

“I know many people will have strong preferences on this complex question, and this is an opportunity to express them and help government decide our next steps,” Premier Horgan said. “As we monitor what’s happening in other jurisdictions, I look forward to input from British Columbians on how to set our clocks throughout the year.”

Some of that input is likely also going to take into account little children.  Again, in speaking with Tara I mentioned how one day very young kids are going to bed in the dark, and the next day the sun is still shining bright.

“Oh, for sure, and you know who else we’re hearing from are teachers.  Teachers who have the really young ones report erratic behaviours for a few days after the time change.  The kids just can’t settle down because of sleep problems happening”.

“We’ve even had people complaining about their animal”, Tara said with a chuckle.

“Little kids and animals, they just want to be fed. And seniors, a lot of them get used to eating at the same time and there’s just a lot of confusion. 

“Parents who’ve got little ones, man – they contact us and they say, ‘when you first started this, we didn’t have any kids, and now ... ‘we’re on board’.”

I asked Ms. Holmes who she though had the strongest preference to keep the time change as is, or who want to end it.

“Oh, my goodness -- there’s no doubt”, Holmes stated emphatically.  “If they had a referendum today, 80% of the province would say ‘stay on summer – stay on where we’re on now – don’t fall back”.

She went of to explain that economically, “Tourism BC has stated they would benefit greatly if it stayed on Summer, our local and provincial Chamber, and business want it to be where it’s at right now.”

“Nobody would say they love the time, it’s just something people do because it’s what we’re always done”.

Tara indicated to me that the people in California, Oregon, and Washington State have indicated through referendum that they no longer wish to change the clocks forward in summer.   I think Mr. Horgan is a little apprehensive to be the leader on this.

“As our neighbours in the western United States move toward permanent daylight-saving time, it’s a good time to think about what will work best for British Columbia,” Horgan did indicate though.

“I invite people to consider our options and take part in an online survey that will help us decide whether to leave things as they are or if it’s time to make a change.”

And with regards to that change, Tara observed that the three US governors just needs the approved referendum to go through congress.

“We don’t have that here.  Mr. Horgan can sign of on it on his own.  He doesn’t have anyone else needed to sign off, but he would really like to have those three”.

“He seems to want California to be the same, because we do a lot of business with them. When you really think about it however, we do a lot of trade with Alberta, and they’re one-hour difference”. 

Again, as she continued, Tara seemed strong in her beliefs as she stated, “When it comes right down to it, he’s apprehensive to be the leader, but I guarantee if he leads, the rest of the country would follow”.

I speaking with Tara I said to her, ‘you seem quite ecstatic about this, to which she responded ... “I’m almost relieved as we’re coming down to the end of this – I’m so hopeful – we’re so close I can almost taste it – it’s crazy”.

“We learn more everyday, as people share their experiences with us”.

“We’ve been very lucky with the interest media across Canada have shown in this, and kinda surprised to be honest.  I think the reason is because it’s non-controversial, it’s not partisan, and it’s not costing anything – no one is offended by what we are doing”, she concluded.

Again, the survey announced today, by the BC government, can be found at https://engage.gov.bc.ca/daylightsavingtime/. In addition to the online survey, organizations and individuals are invited to provide written submissions about time observance, which affects many key B.C. industries, such as agriculture and transportation.