It’s that time of year again – when we set back the clocks, gain an hour of sunshine in the morning, and Daylight Saving Time officially comes to an end.
On Sunday, Nov. 7, time is literally changing at 2 a.m., but much will stay the same.
Although the B.C. NDP government pledged to eliminate Daylight Saving Time in 2019, they’ve passed the buck to our southern neighbours for dragging their feet to do the same. (Coincidentally, we could also blame Americans for the invention of DST, since it was Benjamin Franklin who penned what may be the first record of such a concept in 1784.) In March, more than 100 years after Canada began efforts to conserve daylight, Premier John Horgan said he hoped it would be the last time B.C. would change the clock. Time will tell if his wish comes true.
No matter how you feel about Daylight Saving Time, make sure to use some of your extra minutes to reflect on Nov. 11.
This year, Remembrance Day ceremonies are still largely impacted by COVID-19 protocols, and the public is being asked again to take part remotely. It’s an occasion like this when we want to gather, to honour our veterans and show them that we won’t let their efforts and sacrifices be forgotten. Especially considering that older generations, including those who served in the Second World War, have already spent so much time in isolation since early 2020. As Sechelt Legion president Bill McLean told reporter Connie Jordison, each year that passes means one less opportunity to show respect to members of the aging veteran population. But as their efforts protected the country, it’s now our turn to protect the veterans.
Thankfully, those good intentions to mark the 11th of November can be channeled into other means of support.
In the pages of Coast Reporter this week, we cover the local impact of the annual poppy fundraiser and a display at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives that shines a light on some of the Coast’s veterans – and other locals impacted by war. That exhibit will be open before and after Remembrance Day, providing plenty of opportunity to learn, remember and reflect in a way that keeps us all safe.
Times are changing at the newspaper, too. This is the first issue without John Gleeson at the helm, and a new editor is on the horizon. Stay tuned.
