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**With files provided by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

Cranbrook, BC (March 16, 2026) – On Friday, March 13, 2026 the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors moved that effective this fall, time zone observance for all affected areas within the RDEK – including the City of Cranbrook which is part of the RDEK – change to year-around Mountain Standard Time.

In a media release issued by the RDEK, the Board voted 8-7 in favour of having all affected areas within the RDEK observe year-round Mountain Standard Time effective November 1, 2026. RDEK staff will now forward the Board’s resolution to the Province to get that requested clarity around implementation.

If the change to year-round Mountain Standard Time is approved by the Province, it would mean that residents within the RDEK boundary would “fall back” on November 1st for the last time and would then be aligned with the new “Pacific Time Zone.”

The RDEK will share the Board’s decision with neighbouring local governments in Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District who also observe Mountain Time and were similarly not included in the Province’s announcement on March 2, 2026.

Both the RDEK and City of Cranbrook will provide updates to our residents as this process moves through the Province.