Time zone switch raised by Atikokan councillor

An Atikokan councillor suggests it is time the community start following Daylight Saving Time.

The community is one of the few in Canada that does not change the clocks in the spring or fall.

As a result, Atikokan follows the Eastern time zone during the winter and the Central time zone during the summer.

Councillor George Martin admits it has created a lot of confusion for residents.

“All of our electronic devices. . . phones, tablets, watches, even our vehicles are constantly switching from one time to another time zone as we’re traveling and we’re constantly trying to figure out what time it is, where we’re going, are we going to be late for our meetings, are we going to be early for our meetings,” says Martin.

Martin says people have been missing medical and other meetings or showing up an hour early.

He suggests that Atikokan remain on the same time as Thunder Bay, a destination for most residents for appointments, leisure and shopping.

“Let’s face it, we’re connected greatly to the Eastern time zone, and practically everything we do is east of us,” says Martin.

Some others on council feel the idea has merit but wonder about the legalities of being able to do so.

Administration is gathering further information for council to consider at a later date.

This is not the first time the issue has been raised.

Many past councils have either rejected the notion of changing clocks or left it to a public vote, which has also voted it down.

The Ford government passed legislation in 2020 to make daylight saving time permanent, pending Quebec and New York State doing the same.

The province has yet to enact it.