‘I think that day has passed’: Kinew hints at ending time change in Manitoba

Premier Wab Kinew says the province will consult residents about a possible permanent switch to year-round daylight or standard time.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is hinting that seasonal time changes could end in the province sooner rather than later.

“The idea of us changing the clocks twice a year – I think that day has passed. In Manitoba, we’re almost certainly at the end of that,” Kinew told reporters Friday.

He suggested a “Prairie Time Zone” could be established by the end of the year.

“We might have Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all sharing the same time,” Kinew said. “I could see some economic benefits, interprovincial trade, things like that.”

Kinew’s comments come days after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced her government would table legislation to move the province to permanent daylight time.

Manitoba currently follows daylight saving practices by changing clocks in the spring and the fall.

Kinew said his government will hold consultations over the next few months to find out which time zone Manitobans prefer and if they’re aware of the health benefits behind both approaches. Kinew suggested there are more health benefits switching to standard time.

“What Manitobans have said clearly is everyone feels awful after the spring time change and we want to be done with that,” Kinew said.

Kinew previously told reporters that switching wasn’t a priority for his government after British Columbia opted for a permanent time change.