By Cam Fortems – Kamloops This Week
Bob Dieno, one of two Kamloops residents spearheading a proposal to stop the twice-annual time change, said he is “ecstatic” over a private member’s bill introduced in the legislature this week.
Linda Larson, a B.C. Liberal MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, introduced a private member’s bill that would amend at least six acts, along with other regulations.
She is following the lead of the the municipality of Grand Forks, which put forward a successful motion in ending time change to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
“I’m one of the people who hates it — I hate the shuffle of the clocks,” she said.
“It’s been 100 years, in the spring of 2018, since the time shift was introduced,” she told the legislature.
“I believe it’s the time to end it.”
READ MORE: Time change opponent meets with provincial ministers
Larson acknowledges the bill has no chance of success before the legislature convenes for the fall and returns in spring.
“I’ll put it back on the table in February,” she said. “Hopefully, the government will pick it up.”
Critics of the annual time change question its primary touted benefit — as a way to save energy. They also point to studies that show its psychological and medical impacts.
Reached Thursday, Dieno said he and fellow proponent Tara Holmes continue to work behind the scenes.
They promoted an online petition that gathered 27,000 signatures in a year.
“Tara and I have never stopped working on this,” Dieno said,’
Both Larson and Dieno acknowledged disappointment with Alberta’s failure to make the same move.
Such a proposal was voted down in the legislature after concerns were voiced in particular by airlines and professional sports teams.
Dieno said that’s the reason proponents need to continue behind-the-scenes work.
The goal is to gain support from Premier John Horgan.
“If we get the premier interested, there’s a real chance,” Dieno said.