Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok Dec. 11 released a statement aimed at clearing confusion concerning future changes to Daylight Saving Time (DST) in British Columbia.

“The BC government recently passed the Interpretation Amendment Act, which provides the framework to change how Daylight Saving Time operates in British Columbia. Though these changes have yet to come into effect, the news has been accompanied by some confusion and concern about how these changes would affect certain local areas in the north and Kootenays that are currently using Mountain Standard Time (MST),” the MLAs’ joint statement noted.

“To clear up any misunderstandings, we recognize it is important to clarify several points.”

• 

  These changes would not affect British Columbians currently operating on MST.

• The areas of B.C. currently operating on MST would remain on MST.
• Government’s goal is to standardize a time zone for British Columbians that live in the Pacific Time Zone and use Pacific Standard Time (PST).
• These changes are meant to align with other coastal jurisdiction like Washington, Oregon, California and the Yukon, who are in the process of creating or enacting similar legislation.
• Government has yet to pass regulations as to what time PST would operate at, so it is not yet known which months the MST region would coincide with the rest of B.C.

“Although there are still aspects of the new regulations that are not set in stone, the important takeaway is that it will be business as usual for those areas that currently use Mountain Standard Time. We will make sure to relay any news to our constituents to ensure a clear understanding of any future changes.”

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