Everything You Need to Know About Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend for some parts of Canada. At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 14, clocks should be set one hour ahead.

History

The idea of daylight saving time has existed since at least the 1770s when Benjamin Franklin suggested the idea. Although it was not enacted.

The reasoning for daylight saving time was to conserve energy. It was first adopted in 1915, from there much of Europe, Canada, and the United States adopted the practice.

Do We Need Daylight Saving Time?

In recent times, there is a debate about whether or not we need daylight saving time anymore. Most of Saskatchewan has not observed daylight time since 1966. Some areas of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia no longer change their clocks and some American states and territories abolished the practice too.

Health Impacts

Changing the clocks can be bad for your health. Studies have shown that it can cause stress, sleep deprivation, disorientation, and memory loss. It can also lead to difficulties with learning, social interactions, and overall cognitive function.

Tips

When adjusting clocks, it is good practice to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home. A carbon monoxide detector should be installed on each level of a structure that has wood, oil or propane fuel-fired appliances, including cabins.