'Really need to rethink this': Manitoba wrong to choose daylight over standard time, sleep experts say
Sleep experts are criticizing Manitoba's decision to adopt permanent daylight time, warning that the lack of morning light in winter could harm student health and circadian rhythms. The province moved to this system following a public survey that favored ending seasonal time changes.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between public preference for evening light and scientific consensus regarding the health benefits of standard time.
"We really need to rethink this," said Dr. Michael Mak, psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
"Not having the change in times twice a year is a good thing. But I think as we progress into the winter months and have prolonged periods of no sunlight in the morning … that might lead to issues with academics and depression."
In the dead of winter, sunrise might not happen until close to 9 a.m., which means "young people who are going to school are going to have to do so in pure darkness," a nd that has potential health implications, Mak said.
The light people are exposed to in the morning stabilizes the body's circadian rhythm — the natural 24-hour internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other biological processes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in