BC decides to “Go it alone” with Permanent Daylight Time announcement

In a move that sent ripples through the Pacific Northwest business community today, British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby announced that the province is officially done waiting for its southern neighbors. While Washington remains stalled by federal inaction, BC will move to permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST) following the upcoming “spring forward” on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

For Whatcom County, this decision creates a looming “time-zone gap” at the border that could complicate cross-border commerce.

British Columbia Breaks the Trilateral Pact

Since 2019, Washington, Oregon, California and British Columbia have operated under an informal agreement to only “lock the clock” in unison to avoid economic disruption. However, citing the “unnecessary impact” of biannual changes on health and safety, Premier Eby announced on March 2, 2026, that BC will transition to a new year-round time zone simply called “Pacific Time” (UTC-7).

We are done waiting. British Columbia is going to change our clocks just one more time—and then never again.

– British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby (March 2, 2026)

The Whatcom Impact: A One-Hour Border Gap

If Washington DC does not act by November 2026, Whatcom County businesses—particularly those in Blaine, Sumas, and Lynden—will face a literal “time warp” at the 49th parallel.

Starting November 1, 2026, when Washington “falls back” to Standard Time, British Columbia will stay put. This means:

• The Border Gap: For nearly five months of the year, White Rock, Surrey and Abbotsford will be one hour ahead of Bellingham and Ferndale.
• Logistics Hurdles: Freight forwarders and Nexus commuters will have to adjust for a one-hour difference in warehouse appointments, shipping windows and office hours.
• Consumer Confusion: Retailers and local gas stations, who rely heavily on BC “day-trippers,” may see shifts in peak cross-border traffic patterns which may necessitate staffing changes.

Washington’s Legislative Response

The BC announcement may add new urgency to SB 5001 in Olympia since Washington’s 2019 law (SHB 1196) to adopt permanent DST is still blocked by the US Congress. The new 2026 bill proposes moving to Permanent Standard Time, a move that does not require federal approval. But doing so would leave areas south of the US-Canada border on PST while areas north of the border on DST.

As of today, SB 5001 remains in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. If Washington adopts permanent Standard Time and B.C. adopts permanent Daylight Time, the two neighbors would be permanently out of sync by one hour year-round.