Alberta has taken the first step toward ending seasonal clock changes.
Bill 31, the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, passed first reading in the legislature Thursday.
The bill includes changes that would move Alberta to year-round Mountain Daylight Time.
If passed, Albertans would stop changing their clocks twice a year. The province said the change would create one consistent time across Alberta throughout the year.
“Alberta’s government is continuing to cut red tape to promote economic growth and help businesses, taxpayers and families save time and money that they can use to invest, create jobs and grow their business,” the province said in a statement.
The province said amendments would move Alberta to a single, consistent time year-round, with permanent Mountain Daylight Time ending seasonal clock changes.
Premier Danielle Smith discussed the proposed change Thursday in a video posted to her official X account as part of a broader update on the province’s referendum process. She indicated the province could revisit the issue if Albertans are unhappy with the change.
Her full referendum update press conference is embedded below:
LIVE: Join us this morning as our government gives an update on the fall referendum. https://t.co/B6mBM72c2x
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) April 23, 2026
The bill would also rename the Daylight Saving Time Act as the Official Time Act.
The proposed legislation has not yet passed second reading, committee of the whole or third reading.
No date for third reading has been listed publicly.
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi posted a video on YouTube responding to the referendum update press conference, and it is embedded below:
