Daylight saving time is the practice of moving the clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months and back again in the fall.
It's done to make better use of daylight but it can also disrupt people’s sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.
An article from University Canada West said daylight saving time was first proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895 and later adopted by Germany and Austria in 1916 during the First World War to save energy. But the first use of DST was in Port Arthur, Ont., now part of Thunder Bay in 1908.
Canada officially introduced DST in 1918, suspended it after the war and then resumed it during the Second World War.
While it's intended to save energy, the effectiveness of DST is debated today.
Doug Ford has expressed his support for ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year, where the province could adopt a permanent daylight saving time. In 2020, Ontario tabled legislation in 2020, Bill 214, to make DST permanent and it was given Royal Assent.
But it won't be implemented because of a provision in the bill that requires neighbouring New York and Quebec also adopt permanent DST before Ontario can make the shift.
Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a biology professor at York University, said daylight saving time can negatively affect people's mental health.
“As far as mental health, different people are going to respond to that differently. Everybody may feel a bit tired or cranky when we are tired or a little depressed when we are tired or not quite feeling right because of not eating properly,” Thomas said.
Lakin-Thomas said people's brains contain an internal clock directly influenced by light through the eyes. This clock helps regulate the body clock or the circadian rhythm.
Thomas said that since the clock runs slightly slower than a 24-hour day, it requires morning light to reset and pull it forward, ensuring that our internal timing stays synchronized with the sun and the natural cycle of dawn.
Humber Polytechnic students are back from reading week where some are still adjusting to daylight saving.
Katrina Falcone, a third-year student in the social justice program, said this year’s daylight saving is different from others.
“Since reading week is over, it's harder for me to wake up now. It feels like I haven't gotten any sleep. It also ruins my day, and it's hard to focus in class when all you wanna do is fall asleep,” Falcone said
“I usually can get up and adjust my sleep schedule after daylight saving time, but this year is different. I feel more tired, and I feel like the d longer,” she said.
Thomas also said the government should get rid of the twice-yearly changes because of the inconvenience and disruption they cause.
‘Year-round DST would make us jet-lagged all year round and cause long-term negative effects on health,” she said.
