Sleep is fundamental to well-being. Decisions to end bi-annual clock changes and remain on permanent daylight saving time (DST) in British Columbia, the North West Territories, Alberta, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario have consequences for many Canadians due to potential sleep disruption.

The health risks of transitioning to DST, including increased heart attacks and fatal car accidents, have led most sleep and chronobiology experts, including the first author of this story, to advocate for ending seasonal clock changes in favour of permanent standard time.

Governments justify opting for DST to provide later daylight for a range of reasons, including facilitating evening activites, alignment with other areas and promoting health.

While permanent DST provides more daylight in the evening hours — something sometimes appealing for those with flexible schedules and access to outdoor spaces — it comes at the cost of later sunrises.

Being aware of the potential effects of permanent DST and how to mitigate these will be important for schools.

Read more: B.C.’s switch to permanent DST adds to the ‘perfect storm’ for poorer adolescent sleep and mental health

Due to the short winter days experienced in Canada, dawn will now occur later than the start times for many schools in many of the regions opting for permanent DST.

Communities to the north and west within a time zone will have sunrises later than 8 a.m., or even later than 9 a.m. for a sizeable portion of the school year. Grande Prairie, Alta., will see sunrises in December and January after 10 a.m.

In the United States, the the Sunshine Protection Act seeks to make daylight saving time permanent.

Because winter days are shorter in Canadian northern areas than the more........

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