The Manitoba government is asking residents to weigh in on whether the province should continue changing clocks twice a year or move to a permanent time system.
Glen Simard, Manitoba’s minister of municipal and northern relations, announced this week that consultations are now open as the province considers adopting either permanent standard time or permanent daylight time.
“Across Canada, a number of provinces and territories are ending the time change and Manitobans have made it clear they want us to look at doing the same,” Simard said in a news release. “From a lower risk of stroke to when the sun rises and sets, there are a number of things to consider, and we want to hear directly from Manitobans.”
A recent analysis by the Manitoba government concluded eliminating the twice-yearly clock change would be better for population health than maintaining the current system.
The discussion is also drawing attention from Manitoba’s agricultural community, where strict daily routines are an important part of livestock care.
Warren’s Rob Boonstra, owner and partner at Boonstra Farms Ltd., said dairy cattle respond best to consistency.
“On a dairy farm, consistency is key. Cows do not like change,” said Boonstra. “A high-producing cow feels the affects of being milked an hour later.”
Boonstra said the animals eventually adapt after a few days, but routine remains important.
“They are a creature of habit and they do prefer things to stay the same,” he said.
While he appreciates the longer summer evenings as a person, Boonstra said dairy cattle would likely benefit from keeping one consistent time year-round.
“As a human being, it’s nice to have the long summer nights, but as the owner of dairy cows, they themselves would prefer to not change the time,” he said.
Commercial fisherman Bill Buckels said he believes maintaining the current seasonal time changes remains important for safety in Manitoba’s outdoor industries.
“In Manitoba, permanent Daylight Saving Time would mean the sun wouldn’t rise until nearly 10 a.m. in the winter,” said Buckels. “For industries like commercial fishing or agriculture, this is a major safety hazard.”
Buckels said workers in industries such as commercial fishing, forestry, mining and trucking rely heavily on early morning daylight during winter months for travel and equipment preparation.
“The risk of wildlife collisions, specifically with deer and moose, is significantly heightened during these pre-dawn hours,” he said. “By reverting to standard time in the winter, an essential hour of natural light is returned to the morning, providing a critical safety margin for those on the road and on the ice.”
Buckels added that while many people view the twice-yearly time change as an inconvenience, he believes Manitoba’s seasonal clock adjustments continue to serve a practical purpose for industries operating in difficult outdoor conditions.
“The clock should serve the safety and productivity of the province’s foundational industries,” he said.
The Manitoba Health report is available through the Manitoba government.
Residents can also participate in the public consultation through EngageMB at engagemb.ca/time-change.
