Permanent Standard Time

Canadian researchers urge standard time over permanent daylight saving time

A University of British Columbia-led study argues that if Canada ends biannual clock changes, it should settle on permanent standard time rather than permanent daylight saving time, citing risks to sleep and mental health from darker winter mornings. The warning comes as Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories move toward permanent daylight saving time, and as a U.S. House bill for the same policy awaits Senate action.

sci.news · 2026-10-07

CMAJ Analysis Says Permanent Standard Time Beats Permanent Daylight Saving for Health

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, led by UBC's Professor Raymond Lam, compared the health effects of permanently adopting standard time versus permanently adopting daylight saving time. The researchers concluded that permanent standard time better aligns with human circadian biology, citing the importance of morning light exposure for sleep and mood, especially in winter when permanent daylight saving would delay sunrise by an hour in cities like Toronto and Calgary.

science.slashdot.org · 2026-10-06