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By Shaun Penner

referendum topics

Ending seasonal time change among provincial referendum topics added to municipal election ballot

Jul 15, 2021 | 1:17 PM

Whether Albertans would like to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year will be among the provincial referendum topics added to this October’s municipal election ballot.

Provincial government officials laid out which items would be included on the October 18 ballot during a press conference Thursday. There will also be questions on whether Albertans would like the principle of making equalization payments removed from the Constitution, as well as electing three Senate nominees.

As for the topic of time change, this follows a 2019 survey held by the Alberta government, which asked if people would like to remain on Mountain Daylight Time year-round.

Of the over 141,000 people who participated, over 90 per cent said they would be in favour of a single time year-round.

“As Alberta first adopted daylight saving time following a referendum in 1971, we owe it to Albertans to give them the same opportunity to make their voices heard now that we are considering another change,” said Minister of Service Alberta Nate Glubish.

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Glubish pointed to legislation that was tabled in British Columbia and Ontario to move to a single time all year, which have yet to be implemented.

In March 2020, Yukon stopped changing its clocks and adopted Pacific Daylight Time year-round. The BC Peace, including Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, also remain on Mountain Standard Time 12 months per year.

However, Glubish admits there are challenges to remaining on one time.

“For instance, we know that airlines and airport authorities are concerned about the impacts that this could potentially have on their schedules, as are members of Alberta’s tourism sector,” said Glubish.

“Professional sports organizations with ties to national broadcasts, such as the NHL, have also expressed some concerns.”

When it comes to the question of equalization, Premier Jason Kenney says he understands whichever result comes out of the question on equalization will not necessarily lead to change at the federal level, it will give the federal government a clearer picture of how Albertans feel.

“I don’t expect that a yes vote will result in an immediate change in the equalization formula,” said Kenney. “What it will do… is send a message to our fellow Canadians about just how serious we are on that.”

Albertans will also have the chance to elect three senate nominees. The provincial government would provide the names of the prime minister for consideration when filling Senate vacancies.

Senators, ultimately, are not elected in Canada.

The province had also planned on having the topics of creating an Alberta Police Service and Alberta Pension Plan on the ballot, but Kenney said Thursday further analysis and work are needed before next steps are determined.