Based on coverage from Global News and CBC.
Northwest Territories residents are getting closer to saying goodbye to the twice-a-year ritual of changing clocks. Premier R.J. Simpson says the territory will move to a year-round time standard, aligning with Alberta’s plan to stop “springing forward” and “falling back.”
Simpson has long said the N.W.T. would only do this if Alberta did too, since the two share the same time zone and are tightly connected for travel, business, and services.
Northwest Territories to end clock changes
Simpson announced Monday that the N.W.T. will end seasonal time changes and stick with one time year-round. In a news release, he called it a “practical, forward-looking decision” and said public engagement has shown a majority of residents support ending the switch.
The premier didn’t give a firm start date, saying it will take careful co-ordination across jurisdictions.
Alberta legislation drives N.W.T. timing
The shift is tied directly to Alberta, which plans to table legislation later this week to adopt year-round daylight time. Alberta’s government previously pointed to British Columbia’s decision to make a similar move as a reason to act now, even though an Alberta referendum on the issue failed by a razor-thin margin five years ago.
For the N.W.T., Simpson says moving in step with Alberta “makes the most sense,” and planning work will begin shortly.
Yellowknife voices cite travel and logistics
Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said he’s “very pleased” and stressed how many N.W.T. residents travel to Alberta for medical appointments, recreation, or business. Being out of sync for half the year, he argued, would have been a headache.
Buffalo Airways general manager Mikey McBryan also backed the change, saying the territory is “heavily reliant” on Alberta’s timing and that simpler scheduling is better for operations.
How N.W.T. fits Canada’s time change map
Canada is already a patchwork on this issue. Yukon ended seasonal time changes in 2020. Saskatchewan has long kept standard time year-round. B.C. has announced it plans to stop changing clocks too. Next up for the N.W.T.: a timeline, intergovernmental co-ordination, and enough lead time for residents and businesses to adjust.
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