Nunavut explores ending time changes

Following similar moves by other provinces and territories, Nunavut is exploring the possibility of ending seasonal time changes.

Justice Minister George Hickes provided the update Tuesday in the legislative assembly in response to a question from Kugluktuk MLA Simon Kuliktana.

“As recently as earlier this month, my officials from Justice have been in communication with other counterparts in Northwest Territories to discuss this matter. So yes, it is something that’s in front of me,” Hickes said.

This response is different from one he provided in question period on March 19, when he said the Government of Nunavut was “not currently taking any action” on the question of time changes.

But as other jurisdictions across Canada are saying goodbye to the tradition, first introduced by the Canadian government in 1918 as a way to increase production during the First World War, Nunavut is paying attention.

“As our neighbours become more aligned with this practice, I think it’s something that we very seriously need to consider,” Hickes said Tuesday, adding he is “not a huge fan” of needing to change his clocks twice a year.

N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson announced in April his government will end seasonal time changes.

That announcement followed the Government of Alberta’s decision in March it would stick to year-round Mountain Daylight Time.

British Columbia also recently switched to year-round Pacific Daylight Time, putting it in line with Yukon, which follows Mountain Standard Time. Saskatchewan also does not change its clocks. It follows a year-round Central Standard Time.

Nunavut’s three time zones add “complexity” to the issue, Hickes said, adding there would be public consultation before any changes are made and new legislation would be required for implementation.

Nunavut communities are spread across the Mountain, Central and Eastern time zones. A notable exception is Coral Harbour, which observes Eastern Standard Time year-round.