Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member's statement, my questions are directed to the Premier.
With several jurisdictions across North America reviewing or moving towards permanent standard time, should the Northwest Territories also examine whether maintaining daily savings time remains in the best interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the question. In 2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories put out a survey about ending time change. I think it's probably the most popular survey we've ever put out. There was about 3,000 responses in two days. 87 percent of the people who responded are in favour of ending seasonal time change. The reason that we haven't done it yet is because we are so closely tied to Alberta that we want to ensure that we can maintain the same time as them because we have lots of medical appointments, we do lots of business with Alberta, there's flights, all of those things. And we don't want to cause any problems. It's also a big issue -- it's also a lot of work to end time change. You have to contact Google and Microsoft and Apple, and you're on the phone talking to these companies trying to get it done. And we've learned from our friends in the Yukon that it is quite an ordeal to do it alone. And so I was very encouraged when British Columbia ended, and I was very encouraged when Premier Smith noted that they're doing some consultation to look at ending time change, and I let her know that as soon as Alberta ends time change we'll be right there with them, and we're ready to go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the research linking time changes to disruption in sleep, workplace safety, and overall well-being, why should residents continue to experience these impacts if the benefits are uncertain? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I feel certain there's no benefits to changing our clocks twice a year. It's a strange ritual that we've all gotten into, and I am anxious to get out of it. And, you know, it's a valid point, why are we still doing it. And it is because it's an ordeal to end time change. I believe the Yukon spent a significant amount of money and spent a significant amount of time working through those efforts. And so there's that reason, and then the reason because we are so closely tied to Alberta. But if Alberta moves, we are ready to go. We have legislation in place where the Minister of Justice just needs to basically snap his fingers and changes will be made, and legally we will have ended time change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
thank you, Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering the extreme seasonal daylight variations in the Northwest Territories, what practical benefits does adjusting clocks actually provide for northern communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only practical benefit I can see is being in alignment with Alberta as a jurisdiction where we have lots of medical travel and we do lots of trade with. Other than that, I don't see any benefit. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.
