Daylight saving time is here to stay
Could tourism bring in more revenue than forestry in BC? Victoria restaurant fined $7K for serving beer to a minor.
Good morning !
Future BC generations won’t need to learn the phrase “spring forward, fall back”—the time will remain the same all year starting Sunday.
They also won’t need to relearn how to change the time on various kitchen appliances every six months (my microwave hasn’t been correct since the fall). Can’t wait.
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Daylight saving time to become permanent in BC
This Sunday, when you set your clocks an hour ahead for the summer season, it will be for the last time.
BC is adopting daylight saving time (DST) for good, the provincial government announced yesterday. It’s a change the province said it would make nearly seven years ago, after surveying nearly 250K BC residents and learning 93% of them wanted to commit to year-round DST.
“British Columbians have been clear that seasonal time changes do not work for them,” said Premier David Eby. “This decision isn’t just about clocks. It’s about making life easier for families, reducing disruptions for businesses and supporting a stable, thriving economy.”
Despite committing to permanent DST in 2019, both the Horgan and Eby governments were hesitant to make the switch until western US states adopted the time change. But as relations between Canada and the US continue to sour, BC has decided to charge ahead alone.
“I am hopeful that our American neighbours will soon join us in ending disruptive time changes,” Eby said.
The province said in a release that “recent actions from the US have shifted how BC approaches decisions that merit alignment, including on time zones.”
“Making this change now reflects the current preferences and needs of British Columbians, and helps ensure the province is well-positioned to thrive, even when circumstances across the border evolve.”
The change will affect those in BC who are on Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is most of the province. Northeastern portions of BC—especially in the Peace River region—will remain on Mountain Standard Time year-round (which will essentially be PST once DST is permanent for the rest of the province). Southeastern areas, such as the East Kootenays, will continue to follow Alberta in observing Mountain DST during the summer and Mountain Standard Time in the winter.
Read on to learn why some sleep experts are against the change.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Recall: Compliments Organic brand Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt due to undeclared almonds. [Gov’t of Canada]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Waves vs. Timber: Indigenous tourism could be BC’s next growth industry
BC has long been a province built on timber. But maybe it’s time that changed.
Many in British Columbia—including those living in remote First Nations communities—rely on forestry revenue to keep the lights on. But as that industry deals with economic uncertainty, outdated forest legislation, and, in some regions, a declining fibre supply, it’s fair to wonder whether a move toward more tourism would be opportune.
“We watched the fishing industry decline to a scary, scary point. And we depend on that food,” said Paula Amos, chief marketing and development officer for Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC).
“Now, we’re watching the forestry decline. We are in a place where we need to look at other options and have a new story. I think tourism is a great option for that story,” said Amos.
In the last five years, Indigenous tourism has seen significant growth, and First Nations are just “scratching the surface” of an industry rife with opportunity, she said.
“Indigenous tourism is more than just building economies and jobs,” she said. “It’s about Indigenous people using tourism as an avenue to educate the world on who we are as First Nations people, as Indigenous people.”
BC’s tourism industry contributed $9.7B to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, according to government statistics—$4B more than forestry that year.
As the forest industry struggles through tariffs, mill closures, and a spate of job losses, turning focus to the power of BC’s tourism sector—which largely relies on natural beauty, including intact forests and waterways—may be more beneficial.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🐦 Visible song: A red-winged blackbird’s breath can be seen while it chirps in Saanich. [Facebook photo]
🧑🏫 Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to lead with confidence. Attend an upcoming Open House to see how IB learning and belonging shape extraordinary futures.*
🆘 Support Ian and Carolynn McDowell, pillars of Victoria’s music scene, as they face medical and financial hardship. [GoFundMe.]
🌲 A year of coastal forest wonder at the Malahat Skywalk. [Learn more]*
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Victoria restaurant fined $7K for serving beer to a minor
The incident occurred last June at the Fifth Street Bar & Woodfire Grill on Hillside. A 16-year-old minor hired through the liquor branch’s “Minors as Agents Program” came to the restaurant with a liquor inspector. The minor ordered a beer and then left after the drink was brought to their table. The restaurant’s general manager didn’t dispute the incident but claimed a defence of “due diligence,” arguing they took steps to train staff on liquor policies. A judge decided Fifth Street had not done enough to prep staff and issued the fine. [CHEK]
City to adopt restrictions on election- and referendum-related advertising
If passed later this spring, the City of Victoria will have new guidelines on what it disseminates to the public during voting periods—there’s a municipal election in October. Coun. Stephen Hammond drew attention to this issue just before the Feb. 2025 referendum on the Crystal Pool. He said the city had put out one-sided ads favouring the idea of a yes response. Under the new regulations, a city manager will have to sign off on these promotional materials, ensuring they’re not biased. [Times Colonist]
Cowichan Nation and BC government begin talks over land in Richmond
Last August, the BC Supreme Court ruled that city titles over roughly 300 ha of land near the Fraser River in Richmond are invalid and that the Crown was wrong to grant private titles on the land because it unjustifiably infringed on the Cowichan title. In a joint statement, the two sides said they are now in discussions about the land. In the meantime, both sides are moving forward with their appeals to the BC Court of Appeal, a process legal observers suggest may take up to five years. [BC Gov]
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🗓️ Things To Do
📚 Postsecondary Info Night: The VCM's postsecondary department hosts its annual info night for students and parents at Victoria Conservatory of Music tonight. 7-8pm. [Info]
🎶 William Prince: Further from the Country: The two-time Juno Award-winning Manitoba singer-songwriter brings his acclaimed fifth album to the Royal Theatre tonight. 8pm. [Info]
🎵 Italian Art Song Competition: VCM voice students of all ages perform and compete in this annual competition, receiving feedback from respected adjudicators at Alix Goolden Performance Hall tomorrow. 5-9pm. [Info]
🎸 Danny Michel: The genre-defying singer-songwriter and Juno nominee brings his adventurous sound and charming stage presence to the Charlie White Theatre tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]
🎤 Singer-Songwriter Showcase: Session 8: Three local singer-songwriters—Alex Be, Cameron Schaefer, and Eric Fine—take the stage for an evening of original music at The Coda. Thurs. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]
🏳️🌈 Sidney Pride Fundraiser: An all-ages Sidney Pride fundraiser featuring local drag performers Vivian Vanderpuss, Mina Mercury, Eddi Licious, and Henrietta Dubét, plus a silent auction at Charlie White Theatre. Thurs. 7pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sunday’s headlines: National pharmacare brings free diabetes and menopause meds to BC; Weekly roundup; March events. [March 1]
Sea lions everywhere: the herring run has Deep Bay looking like a National Geographic cover. [CHEK]
Wolf-dog in Victoria put down after being deemed ‘un-adoptable.’ [Times Colonist]
8 new EV charging ports for Saanich. [BC Hydro]
Pop-up yard waste drop-off. [Langford, March 7, 14, & 21]