The Town of Golden, about 260 kilometres west of Calgary, has reversed an earlier decision on time observance and will remain on Mountain Daylight Time year-round. In an unanimous vote, council rescinded a plan to move to permanent Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07:00) and instead chose to observe permanent Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06:00), aligning the community’s clocks with Alberta and neighbouring Columbia Valley municipalities. Councillor Wes Routley, who introduced the motion to reconsider, said the initial public engagement process was flawed. A regional survey asked residents to choose between daylight and standard time, but did not ask whether regional alignment should take priority if preferences differed. “The public need to be able to trust the process with which council approaches its decisions,” Routley said, adding the move aims to restore trust while maintaining regional consistency and safety. Council’s original Sept. 1 decision to adopt standard time drew swift backlash, including a petition led by a local business owner that gathered more than 2,300 signatures and support from 23 businesses employing roughly 175 people. Residents and business owners raised concerns about economic disruption and regional isolation, noting that Golden relies heavily on connections with communities to the south and east. They said a different time zone would complicate work schedules, deliveries, tourism bookings and daily commutes. Access to health care was also cited as a concern, as many residents travel to Cranbrook or Calgary for specialized services. A time difference, they argued, could create barriers for appointments and medical transport. Parents and school officials also warned of scheduling challenges, as Golden is part of Rocky Mountain School District No. 6, which includes communities such as Invermere and Kimberley. Tourism operators and outdoor enthusiasts opposed losing evening daylight in the summer, saying longer evenings are important for recreation and the local economy. Council acknowledged that its initial move was driven in part by concerns about dark winter mornings and pedestrian safety for children travelling to school. As part of the new motion, staff have been directed to work with School District 6 on measures such as improving bus stop visibility, reviewing walking routes and considering additional safety supports. Council said it will revisit the decision in October 2027 to assess regional impacts and any changes in neighbouring jurisdictions.
