As North America and Europe prepare to move clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time (DST) on March 8, British Columbia is set to make the switch one final time before adopting permanent DST. Premier David Eby confirmed the change on March 1, stating, “We are done waiting. British Columbia is going to change our clocks just one more time—and then never again.”
The province’s move aims to reduce the twice-yearly disruption that has long drawn criticism from health experts. While most regions will return to Standard Time in the fall, British Columbia plans to maintain the DST adjustment year-round, joining Turkey in adopting a permanent time shift.
Notably, the town of Creston is choosing to opt out, continuing its long-standing tradition of remaining on Standard Time year-round. Explore Creston Valley describes this local decision as a way to avoid the “hassle” of biannual clock changes.
Medical research indicates that clock changes can have significant impacts on health. Dr. Karin Johnson, professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine-Baystate, explained that shifting to DST disrupts circadian rhythms, affecting sleep patterns and triggering increases in cortisol, inflammation, and hormone imbalances. Studies have linked DST transitions to higher rates of stroke, heart attack, workplace accidents, and even obesity. A 2025 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimated that permanent Standard Time could prevent 2.6 million cases of obesity and 300,000 strokes in the U.S.
Mental health also suffers during the transition, with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder increasing after the clock change, according to research from the Pennsylvania-based Cognitive Behavior Institute. Traffic safety risks rise as well, with a Spanish study finding a 30% increase in fatal accidents on the day clocks spring forward. Hospitals report spikes in medical errors in the week following DST changes, including wrong prescriptions and procedural mistakes, attributed to disrupted sleep.
Proponents of DST have argued that longer evening daylight reduces energy consumption. However, experts say modern LED lighting and increased air conditioning usage offset these savings. Hawaii and Arizona, which do not observe DST, reportedly save on cooling costs, illustrating the limited energy benefits of the practice.
Despite public health warnings, attempts to abolish DST nationwide in the U.S. have stalled. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent, has repeatedly failed to pass Congress. Nineteen state legislatures have passed bills for permanent DST, but federal approval is required for them to take effect.
For now, most of the U.S. and Canada will continue the biannual clock changes. Health advocates continue to push for permanent Standard Time, citing the accumulated evidence of harm from repeated disruptions to natural sleep cycles. British Columbia’s move may serve as a model for regions weighing the costs of DST against the benefits of aligning with the sun’s natural rhythms.
