January 12, 2011
Townships call for
end to time changes
by Vance Gutzman
No one knows for sure whether members of Head, Clara and Maria council
are big Elton John fans.
One things that is for sure, however, is that they don't want the sun
to go down on them, and have drafted a resolution to that effect.
The resolution, approved by council last month, calls upon the
provincial government to retain Daylight Savings Time year-round.
The resolution, moved by Councillor Jim Gibson, and seconded by
Councillor Ed Aiston, says that numerous scientific studies have noted
adverse health impacts of reduced sunlight hours.
It goes on to state that the original rationales for reverting to
Eastern Standard Time in winter (for such things as farm milking times)
have become "largely irrelevant".
Maintaining Daylight Savings Time year-round, the resolution continues
could have positive impacts on the environment, by reducing energy use
during evening hours.
Head, Clara and Maria also notes that one other province (Saskatchewan)
has already adopted the practice of having Daylight Savings Time
year-round, and that the changing of time twice each year is
unnecessary, "has cost implications for industry and commerce in the
province of Ontario and causes confusion and inconvenience to residents
and visitors."
"It really doesn't do anything for anybody anymore," said Gibson, the
mover of the resolution."
"In general, it's become more and more of a hassle. These days you can
spend up to an hour re-adjusting everything in your house and your
vehicles and such."
Resolutions such as the one passed by Head, Clara and Maria generally
don't get too far in terms of changing significant pieces of
legislation, but Gibson said it never hurts to try.
"We'll put it forward and see how far it will go," Gibson said.
The resolution is also being forwarded to other area municipalities for
endorsement, as well as the Ontario Association of Municipalities.
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