Alberta moves to permanent daylight time despite stakeholder preference for standard time

Alberta will leave its clocks alone on November 1 while most of the United States and Canada turn them back — the province is switching to permanent daylight time, also called "Alberta Time," and the government says it is confident the move will go smoothly.

Internal government documents obtained through an access-to-information request, however, reveal that most of the at least 11 stakeholder groups consulted by the province last March expressed a preference for permanent standard time instead. The documents were partly redacted.

Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Construction Safety Association both support permanent standard time, citing health benefits. Canada West Ski Areas Association prefers standard time due to business operations and the need to perform safety checks in daylight. Christopher Nicolson, president of Canada West Ski Areas Association, noted that in resort communities where ski resorts are primary employers and economic drivers, "F&B, daycare, and other services" could face broader impacts if resort lift operation no longer shapes the cadence of work schedules.

Oilers Entertainment Group did not indicate an explicit preference but noted potential scheduling impacts of permanent daylight time for games in Alberta. The group emphasized "the importance of ensuring Oilers games remain as accessible as possible for fans across Oil Country — particularly families and young fans attending games at Rogers Place or watching live broadcast." The National Hockey League schedule lists the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames each playing seven games, including two at home for each team, with 9 p.m. local start times, though the league notes game times are subject to change.

EPCOR and the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association did not express strong preferences for either time zone.

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said the government recognizes there will never be consensus on the topic. "We know there's never going to be consensus on the topic, and if we wait until there's consensus, we're never going to stop changing the clocks," Nally said. "If Albertans were not so united in the fact that we have to stop changing clocks twice a year, you know, we may not have taken action."

Nally also cited British Columbia's move to end changing its clocks as forcing Alberta's hand. "We just had to make a tough decision," he said, noting the government could reconsider the move in future years should it prove unpopular. "Let's go through an entire cycle, and see what it's like first, and then make a decision."