Is it time to be follow the American way?

[Canuck E Stan]

With the Americans changing to extended Daylight saving time,should Canada do the same? Or by not doing so,would this be a message from the government, to Americans, that Canada can go our it's own way and not have to follow the US. Or by changing our time, will this just show Canadians how much we rely on Americans, possibly more than we care to admit.

[cybercoma]

With the Americans changing to extended Daylight saving time,should Canada do the same? Or by not doing so,would this be a message from  the government, to Americans, that Canada can go our it's own  way and not have to follow the US. Or by changing our time, will this just show Canadians how much we rely on Americans, possibly more than we care to admit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as far as trade and business goes, it's going to be a serious pain in the ass if we don't follow along.

[Renegade]

Please, let's stop pretending we have a choice. Sure we can be stubborn and decide to refuse to follow the US lead. Who will that decision impact? Mostly us, and not for the better.

[Riverwind]

as far as trade and business goes, it's going to be a serious pain in the ass if we don't follow along.

Why? Is it a pain in the ass for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to do business because each province is in a different timezone different parts of the year? Specific businesses would adjust but they do that anyways. For example, if you are a broker in Vancouver your day starts at 6:30AM.

The US is looking at the change because it supposedly saves energy. Is this really backed up by science? If yes does it apply to northern latitudes too?. If the answer to that question is yes too then Canada should adopt the change as well. Just because the US comes up with a good idea does not mean we have to reject it because we want to be sovereign.

[SirSpanky]

As I understand, it has to do with the fact that people use more electricity after work as opposed to before work. By letting them finish work when its still light out, they don't use so much. Correct?

[Yaro]

As I understand, it has to do with the fact that people use more electricity after work as opposed to before work. By letting them finish work when its still light out, they don't use so much. Correct?

Essentially yes.

I don't understand why this is brought up in this way though, Canada should do what’s in its own best interest (baring contradicting moral arguments) and if that matches the actions of the US then that’s kind of irrelevant.

[SirSpanky]

I wonder what the mental health effects are?

Example; when I leave the house at 7am to go to school, I get a little bit depressed when its so dark out. Something about waiting for a bus when its -30 outside puts me in a foul mood.

[kimmy]

As I understand, it has to do with the fact that people use more electricity after work as opposed to before work. By letting them finish work when its still light out, they don't use so much. Correct?

Toronto sunrise and sunset on March 1:

Mar 1, 2005 6:54 AM 6:06 PM

And for November 1:

Nov 1, 2005 6:53 AM 5:08 PM

That hour of sunlight between 7am and 8am is probably mostly wasted anyway. People who are out of bed at that time are most likely in their cars and buses on the way to work or school. You don't really need sunlight to stand in a bus-stop or while you're on the freeway.

Between 5pm and 7pm, on the other hand, almost everybody is awake and almost everybody is doing activities that require light. That extra hour of daylight that we wasted at 7am would be awfully handy to have. Also, consider the load on the power grid at the different times. Power companies often ask people to try to save energy during supper hours, because electric stoves and cooking takes so much energy. In the morning, on the otherhand, the power-grid is probably at a fraction of capacity, because nobody is doing much that needs electricity. So, if you asked the power companies when it would be best to have people using electric lights, they'd probably much prefer at morning than at suppertime.

-k

[Toro]

I don't think it will pass. The White House is resisting.

[geoffrey]

Saves money, electricity and resources. Has more waking hours of sunlight for the average person.

Sounds like a plan, can't find any arguments against.

Unless the liberals pull out the "It's American, therefore evil" scheme. Which they might, it wouldn't be the first time.

[mirror]

I don't think it will pass.  The White House is resisting.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree.