Daylight Savings

[I miss Reagan]

What the heck is the big deal about extending daylight savings time by a month on either end? It seems the media has made this a huge deal about having to "go along" with the Americans, as if it's the most painful thing in the world. Once again poor little Canada is being "bullied" by the big bad US.

To me the problem seems to be:

1) It's a good idea because it will cut down energy usage. Why is that a problem? because Canadians hate to admit that the US could come up with a good idea.

2) George Bush is approving the move. This doesn't compute with Canadians who are indoctrinated to believe that the evil Dubya is out to consume as much oil as possible while destroying as much of the environment as possible.

3) Canadians usually like to go in the opposite direction of the US even if it means doing harm to themselves.

Daylight savings

"any opportunity to show its independence from its southern neighbour brings on a patriotic boomlet. If America was trying to keep the bubonic plague out of its hemisphere, Canadians would import it just to show their independence of American foreign policy."-Barbara Amiel

[crazymf]

Saskatchewan is chuckling at all of us....

[plasticine]

I admit that when I first heard about the daylight savings time debate, I had pretty much the same reaction as you, I miss Reagan. And although I do still believe that the concerns that you've listed must be at least partially responsible for all of the skepticism surrounding this (and I agree that that part is ridiculous), there are a few valid points that need to be considered.

The first being that Canada has a different climate than the US. While it may save energy for th US to have extra daylight hours, the same is not necessarily true for Canadians. If we follow this system, it has been speculated that we will end up staying up later because the day will, in essence, feel longer. If we stay up later, our furnaces stay on later, our lights stay on later, our computers are running longer etc. The same is not necessarily true of the US to the same degree since their climate is much milder than ours.

Secondly, while I don't think we should oppose something purely on the grounds that we don't like the person who suggested it, I think there is something to be said for not wanting to be bullied into changing our ways. If we do eventually find that it doesn't make sense for us to do this, I think it would be just as absurd for us to go along with it "because the US suggested it" as it would be for us to oppose it "because the US suggested it".

[mirror]

I find it quite ironic that Conservatives in Canada support change if comes from Washington but oppose it if it comes from Ottawa. This is a dead issue now in the US. I can almost guarantee you that Conservatives in Canada will now drop their suport for the idea. I think it is time for Conservatives in Canada to develop some backbone and stand up for things they really believe in for Canada, instead of beings the lapdogs for the USA.

[cybercoma]

I find it quite ironic that Conservatives in Canada support change if comes from Washington but oppose it if it comes from Ottawa. This is a dead issue now in the US. I can almost guarantee you that Conservatives in Canada will now drop their suport for the idea. I think it is time for Conservatives in Canada to develop some backbone and stand up for things they really believe in for Canada, instead of beings the lapdogs for the USA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who really gives a crap if daylight savings time is changed? to oppose it simply because it comes from washington is just as stupid as supporting it just because it does.

[canadian_conservative]

What the heck is the big deal about extending daylight savings time by a month on either end? It seems the media has made this a huge deal about having to "go along" with the Americans, as if it's the most painful thing in the world. Once again poor little Canada is being "bullied" by the big bad US.

To me the problem seems to be:

1) It's a good idea because it will cut down energy usage. Why is that a problem? because Canadians hate to admit that t

An inteigent idea a good idea??? by what means iw will all be the same their wil be no energy saving for us because the only thing different is that will be turning ar elights on in the morning instead of at night.

Hate to admit a good idea by the US?? when has the United States ever made a good idea while Bush is still in office sombody email me when he does!

[ratam]

Quick question from the USA on the daylight savings time. I've read many comments about how this is a case of the USA pushing this change on Canada. I am puzzled as to why you think anyone here really cares if Canada follows us with daylight savings time. It seems like a good idea for us to save a little power here. It may be poorly suited for your latitudes and even parts of Arizona are unlikely to go along with it. The only obvious negatives here seem to be children going to school in the dark and adjustments to transporation schedules. Thanks for the feedback.

[canadian_conservative]

Honestly I don't really care if my Priminister goes along with this daylight savings time adjustment because nothings going to change in Canada no energy will be saved it will be you guys from the South of us that are going to save the money. I just think it's pointless for us to go and change what has been in place for generations needlesly. Unfortunatly if Canada doesn't want to lose money in shjipments to you guys we have to go along with it.

[SirSpanky]

RE: sirRatam

IMO We shouldn't care. What you do is your business, unless it affects others

Have you ever heard of little man syndrome? Where small boys act aggressively to compensate? I think we have a mild case of little country syndrome, and like to lash out at meaningless things.

[canadian_conservative]

IMO We shouldn't care. What you do is your business, unless it affects others 

Have you ever heard of little man syndrome? Where small boys act aggressively to compensate? I think we have a mild case of little country syndrome, and like to lash out at meaningless things.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Huh was this directed at me?

[SirSpanky]

No.

[ratam]

Thanks, when people started using terms like "bullying" and "forcing" it made me think that I missed part of the story. Glad we can stick to other subjects to disagree about.

[shoop]

Does anyone actually have evidence on either side as to the energy savings for Canada?

The U.S. isn't really bullying anyone on the issue.

As our biggest trading partner it makes sense to follow their lead.

Intuitively I would think Canada would also save energy by making the move, although I am open to seeing actual information from anybody on the issue.

[Yaro]

Who really gives a crap if daylight savings time is changed? to oppose it simply because it comes from washington is just as stupid as supporting it just because it does.

Exactly, I mean whats the big fuss about. If its in our best interest to do so then lets do it, if its not then lets not. Why does anything else matter?

[canadian_conservative]

Intuitively I would think Canada would also save energy by making the move, although I am open to seeing actual information from anybody on the issue.

Canada will not save energy on this plan it will still be the same just people will have their lights on when its morning instead of night. Since the US is are trading partner than like another person said yes we should follow or else we will lose money trading to them but it annoys me when people say it will save Canadians money on energy usage.

[SirSpanky]

As shoop said, I'd like to hear some data on the subject. We have long days in summer, it makes sense that it would work then. Energy useage in Ontario is through the roof, if all we have to do is change the time to save some $$, lets go.

[canadian_conservative]

As shoop said, I'd like to hear some data on the subject. We have long days in summer, it makes sense that it would work then. Energy useage in Ontario is through the roof, if all we have to do is change the time to save some $$, lets go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But daylight savings isn't in the summer is it, it is in the fall right? therefore skipping summer out completly when we turn are clocks to normal again in the spring.

[SirSpanky]

Wasn't commenting on the US plan. Just saying it MIGHT work in the summer.