clocks

Kenora council unanimously voted to stay on the same time as Manitoba, which will remain on Daylight Saving Time next month.

Council passed a resolution at a special meeting on Friday.

Mayor Andrew Poirier says Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford asked municipalities in the Central Time Zone to pass resolutions that he would take to the Attorney General in seeking a Ministerial Order to avoid the need for changing clocks in November.

“I’m not going to presuppose what that decision would be, but he understands that for logistical reasons, communities, businesses, residents have to know one way or the other,” says Poirier.

“If it works where we’re going to make a change or stay the same in that there still has to be communication that goes out, it’ll be a little heavier if we do decide to go to the Manitoba model.”

Poirier says a final determination of which way the region goes could come this week.

He says if the government is to take action, it has to have the buy-in from all communities within the Central Time Zone.

“If we’re going to do something, we all kind of need to be on board,” says Poirier.

“No one’s pressuring any communities. If they don’t want to do it, they need to say it upfront and tell Minister Rickford now.”

There is strong public support for remaining on Daylight Saving Time.

A recent survey showed over 93% in favour of staying on the same time as Manitoba.

Fort Frances is asking its residents what time they should be on.

It has launched a survey following Manitoba’s decision to remain on Daylight Saving Time.

When it comes into effect in November, northwestern Ontario communities now in the Central Time Zone will be an hour behind Manitoba and an hour behind Thunder Bay.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford organized a meeting last week with municipal and First Nation leaders, and others.

The town says there was a consensus among the group to remain on the same time as Manitoba.

The Fort Frances survey puts forward three scenarios for residents to consider;

• Continue to observe both time changes (daylight savings in March, standard in November) and change the clocks twice a year.
• Observe daylight savings permanently, being in the same time as Manitoba.
• Observe standard time permanently, with clocks falling back one hour in November.

The town of Atikokan, which voted back in the 1950s not to change its clocks, discussed a switch earlier this year to stay on the same time as Thunder Bay year-round.

Administration was informed that any change would require public consultation and advocacy with the province.

Council decided not to pursue the issue because of more pressing issues impacting the community.

To access the Fort Frances survey, click here.