Most parts of British Columbia will switch to permanent, year-round daylight saving time after the next time change on March 8, ending the twice-yearly ritual of adjusting the clocks.

Premier David Eby announced the change on Monday, saying the time changes – moving the clocks forward by one hour in spring, and back one hour in the fall, are difficult for families and businesses.

“This decision isn’t just about clocks. It’s about making life easier for families, reducing disruptions for businesses and supporting a stable, thriving economy,” Mr. Eby said in a statement. “I am hopeful that our American neighbours will soon join us in ending disruptive time changes.”

In 2019, the provincial government canvassed British Columbians and found 93 per cent for support to end the time changes that have been in place since 1918. But most of Canada still follows the routine, which largely synchronizes with the United States, and the B.C. government opted to wait until key trading partners California, Oregon and Washington State agreed to change as well.