Time to stay the same. Following a reconsideration of its previous decision, Golden’s Town Council has voted to end semi-annual clock changes and remain permanently on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6). This decision means Golden will remain aligned year-round with neighbouring communities in the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) that have chosen permanent Mountain Daylight Time. Residents will no longer need to adjust clocks twice each year.
Council's decision to reconsider arose following correspondence received from residents of Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Area A, including a petition requesting Council revisit its earlier decision. In requesting reconsideration, Council recognized concerns that while the public engagement process asked residents to choose between permanent Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6) and permanent Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7), it did not specifically ask whether maintaining regional alignment should take precedence when those preferences differed. Council determined that reconsidering the matter would provide an opportunity to weigh this additional perspective alongside the survey results and public feedback received.
Council considered a range of factors in making its decision, including public feedback, regional coordination, impacts to residents and businesses, daylight hours throughout the year, and alignment with neighbouring jurisdictions.
From July 3 to August 3, 2026, the Town of Golden partnered with the RDEK on a public engagement process. A total of 1,336 responses were provided from the Golden area. Across the region, the majority of respondents (89 per cent) supported an end to annual time changes, and the survey results from Golden and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Area A showed a slight majority of respondents preferred permanent Mountain Daylight Time (55 per cent supporting permanent Daylight Time and 45 per cent supporting Standard Time).
Remaining on Mountain Daylight Time year-round means later daylight in the evenings and later sunrises in the mornings. Council recognized that residents value daylight differently depending on work schedules, school routines, recreation, tourism, and family needs, and that opinions in the community were closely divided.
While selecting permanent Mountain Daylight Time, Council also acknowledged concerns regarding darker winter morning conditions. To address these concerns, Council directed staff to work with partner agencies and advocate for measures that support pedestrian, student, and roadway safety, including discussions with School District No. 6, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and regional government partners regarding potential safety improvements and mitigation measures.
The decision follows recent changes by the Province of British Columbia, which has moved most of the province to a permanent Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7) now called Pacific Time, while allowing communities in the Mountain Time Zone to determine their own time observance.
The Town will work with partner organizations, regional governments, businesses, service providers, and public agencies to ensure a smooth transition.
What residents need to know
- There will be no time change for residents of Golden and Area A this fall.
- Golden will remain on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6) year-round.
- Golden's time will continue to align with the East Kootenays throughout the year.
Next steps:
- Staff will engage with School District No. 6, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and regional government partners regarding winter morning safety concerns and potential mitigation measures.
- Council has committed to reviewing its time observance decision in October 2027, including continued dialogue with the RDEK, community partners, and residents.