Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister Scott Smith today introduced legislation that would extend daylight saving time in Manitoba by four weeks. Starting in 2007, daylight saving time would start on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.

The change would mean that clocks would be advanced three weeks earlier in the spring and for one week later in the fall.

The decision was made after the U.S. government passed a law in an omnibus energy bill that extends daylight saving time beginning in March 2007.

"Stakeholders have raised concerns that by not synchronizing Manitoba’s clocks with those in the central time zone south of the border, difficulties would occur at border crossings and with airlines flights into the United States," said Smith. "Not only will this legislation add daylight to evening hours for four additional weeks but it will also ensure that trade with the United States is not affected. As a province that does a lot of trade with our southern neighbour, it is very important for us to have times that are consistent at the border."

Currently, Manitobans advance their clocks forward by one hour at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and turn them back at 2 a.m. the last Sunday in October.

News:

USA & Canada clocks
on Standard Time until:
Sunday 11 March 2012 2am local time

Europe / UK clocks
on Standard Time until:
Sunday 25 March 2012 01:00 GMT

Australia clocks
on Daylight Saving Time 

Western Samoa changed time zone on
29 December 2011

Websites:

Remember: