Bill 31: Alberta Moves To Permanent Daylight Time

Alberta has introduced new legislation aimed at ending the practice of changing clocks twice a year, proposing a permanent shift to daylight saving time. The move comes through Bill 31, formally known as the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, which was recently tabled in the provincial legislature.

The bill was introduced by Dale Nally, who said the goal is to bring consistency and simplify daily life for residents. If the legislation is passed, Alberta would remain on Mountain Daylight Time throughout the year, eliminating the need to switch between standard time and daylight saving time every spring and fall.

According to government officials, the proposal reflects public feedback gathered over several years. Consultations were conducted with a wide range of groups, including businesses, transportation companies, agricultural sectors, and sports organisations. Authorities say many participants supported the idea of maintaining a consistent time system rather than adjusting clocks twice a year.

Nally said that while there are ongoing discussions about the health and safety impacts of time changes, such as effects on sleep patterns and road safety, many residents prefer stability. He emphasised that people are looking for a simpler system that avoids the inconvenience of resetting clocks and adjusting schedules multiple times a year.

If implemented, the province would adopt a new time designation, informally referred to as “Alberta Time.” This time would align closely with neighbouring regions such as Saskatchewan, which already follows a consistent time system throughout the year.

The government also plans to coordinate with international timekeeping organisations to ensure that the transition is smooth. This includes updating global time zone databases and ensuring that electronic devices, which are currently programmed to change automatically, do not revert to the old system.

The proposal follows similar discussions in other provinces, including British Columbia, which has also considered moving to a permanent daylight saving system. However, such changes often depend on coordination between regions to avoid time differences that could affect travel, trade, and communication.

Despite the government’s push, the plan has sparked debate. Critics have pointed out that a previous referendum in 2021 showed limited support for the change, with a narrow majority of voters opposing permanent daylight saving time. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about whether the new legislation reflects the earlier public vote.

The bill is expected to be debated further in the legislature, where lawmakers will consider both the benefits of a stable time system and the concerns raised by critics. If approved, Alberta would join a growing number of regions worldwide exploring permanent time systems to improve consistency and efficiency.