Liberal MLA Iain Rankin has introduced a bill to eliminate the biannual time change in Nova Scotia, keeping the province on daylight saving time year-round. However, the change would only happen if New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island also agreed.

“The time change isn’t just an inconvenience – it has real consequences for our health and well-being,” Rankin said. “Studies have shown that shifting the clocks forward and backward disrupts sleep, increases stress, and even raises the risk of heart attacks and accidents.”

The bill amends the Time Definition Act, ensuring that Nova Scotians would have more daylight in the evenings year-round. Rankin argues that more sunlight benefits the economy and that modern research supports the change.

While Rankin says there is growing public frustration with the clock changes, he acknowledges that the process could take time. “Opposition bills rarely pass,” he said. “Even if the bill does move forward, it would likely have to be reintroduced as a government bill and still needs agreement from our neighboring provinces.”

British Columbia has passed similar legislation that would only take effect if key jurisdictions also made the switch. Rankin says this approach makes sense for Nova Scotia. “It wouldn’t make sense for us to be on a different time than New Brunswick and PEI for half the year,” he said.

Asked about potential concerns from the agriculture sector, Rankin said he has not heard significant pushback in Nova Scotia. “That was one of the original reasons for daylight saving time, but technology has changed,” he said, noting that Saskatchewan has never adopted the time change.

Despite public interest, Rankin doesn’t expect a quick resolution. “I don’t see this happening before the next time change, unfortunately,” he said. “But within the next few years, I think Nova Scotia will move forward with it.”