Ontario plans to introduce permanent daylight time in parts of the province’s northwest to keep the region aligned with Manitoba, Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford told The Canadian Press.
The province plans to amend the Time Act on Nov. 1 to allow areas west of the 90th meridian to stop changing their clocks twice a year.
Manitoba announced last month that it would stay on daylight time year-round. The move left northwestern Ontario facing a choice: switch to eastern time, continue changing clocks seasonally or adopt permanent daylight time to match Manitoba.
Rickford said the province consulted municipalities, First Nations and businesses, with surveys showing 90 to 94 per cent support for the change.
New Democrat Sol Mamakwa, who represents Kiiwetinoong, welcomed the decision, saying it reflects the needs of communities across northwestern Ontario.
British Columbia announced plans for permanent daylight time in March. Alberta has also adopted year-round daylight time, which it calls Alberta time.
