Kelvin Goertzen says Daylight Saving Time is sticking around

People have mixed thoughts on Daylight Saving Time. 

MLA Kelvin Goertzen says he gets messages every year from people wondering when the province is going to stop participating. 

“I only get messages in the spring when we lose the hour. I almost never get any messages in the fall when we gain the hour.” 

He says that personally, he would be happy not to change the clocks, but it’s more complicated than that. 

“Personally, I don't enjoy the changing of the clocks. It's not really a big issue in my life, but it's not like I'd miss it. But it would be problematic if we weren't all on the same clock.” 

Goertzen says legislation that was passed said if the Americans move, we move as well. 

“I know that there are also some issues in terms of how dark is it at certain times and that sort of thing, but where the province is at in terms of legislation, there has been legislation passed that says that if the Americans do away with Daylight Saving Time, if they stay on one consistent clock, then there's a process for Manitoba to go into that direction.” 

He explains this is for a very good reason.  

“Regardless of what people think of it, it would be very difficult if we had a patchwork of times all around us, particularly to the South.” 

Goertzen says it could get really confusing if some areas stay with Daylight Saving Time and some areas drop it. 

“Imagine if Saskatchewan was two hours off and Ontario went in a different direction, and if that was different than in North Dakota, in Minnesota. It would be chaos when it comes to business and maybe even flight times and that sort of stuff.” 

With files from Kenton Dyck