WHITEHORSE – Today it was announced that Yukon Party efforts to eliminate the policy of daylight saving time have paid off.

On March 14, 2018, Yukon MLAs unanimously passed Yukon Party MLA Wade Istchenko’s motion committing the government to investigate the possibility of eliminating daylight saving time in Yukon. At the time the Liberals unfortunately amended the motion to remove any mention of consultation.

Motion No. 251, passed on March 14, 2018, moved by Kluane MLA Wade Istchenko and amended by the Government, read:

THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to investigate the possible elimination of daylight saving time in Yukon.

As the Liberals continued to drag their feet and do nothing on the file, the Official Opposition tabled private members’ legislation in the Fall 2019 legislative sitting that outlined a clear plan to eliminate daylight saving time, hoping this would encourage the government to act and finally consult on the issue. As a result of these efforts the Liberals finally agreed to consult Yukoners.

Now, two years after the Yukon Party’s original motion to eliminate daylight savings passed, Yukon will be eliminating the seasonal time change.

“In early 2018 the Yukon Party asked the Liberals to do the work and consult Yukoners on the possibility of eliminating daylight saving time, but they unfortunately stuck their heads in the sand and delayed it as long as possible,” stated Wade Istchenko, MLA for Kluane. “After two years of the Liberals doing nothing on the file, the territory is unfortunately far behind where it could have been had they taken action when the issue was originally brought forward. That said, I am glad that the Liberals are finally moving past their partisan delays and will be listening to the priorities of Yukoners.”

In May 2017, the Association of Yukon Communities passed a motion indicating that they would like the Government of Yukon to determine if there is a case for removing daylight saving time in the Yukon.

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Contact:
Madison Pearson
Communications
(867) 393-7026