Residents of Golden, British Columbia, are facing a significant change in their local time zone, leading to concerns among some members of the community. Golden resident Matt Clifford expressed worries about the added burden this change may bring. The Town of Golden recently announced its decision to permanently switch to Pacific Time, aligning with the majority of British Columbia, after a final clock change to Mountain Standard Time on November 1.
Under the new time zone, residents of Golden will experience earlier sunrises and sunsets throughout the year. This move comes after the provincial government’s decision to end biannual time changes and adopt UTC-7, with the option for municipalities to opt-out. Despite the regional district’s choice to maintain seasonal time changes, Golden will now remain in sync with the rest of the province.
Matt Clifford, actively involved in petitioning against the time zone shift, emphasized the community’s strong connections with neighboring areas and the importance of alignment with the Columbia Valley and Alberta. A recent public survey conducted in partnership with the Regional District of East Kootenay revealed mixed opinions, with 55% favoring Daylight Time (UTC-6) and 45% supporting Standard Time (UTC-7).
Golden Mayor Ron Oszust acknowledged the divisive nature of the decision but highlighted factors such as health data and public safety in support of transitioning to Pacific Time. While the change has been made, Oszust emphasized ongoing discussions and the opportunity for residents to voice their concerns until the deadline on September 9.