Current News Room – Chad Dashly

British Columbia has long been shaped by leaders who built their careers outside of politics before stepping into public life. Few embody that tradition more clearly than Darrell Jones, a longtime business executive who rose from humble beginnings in a small B.C. town to become one of the province’s most recognizable corporate leaders.

Jones grew up in Cranbrook, British Columbia, a community in the East Kootenay region known for its strong work ethic and resource-driven economy. Like many young people in smaller B.C. communities, his first job came early. As a teenager, Jones began working as a grocery clerk at a local Overwaitea Foods store—bagging groceries, stocking shelves, and helping customers.

What started as a part-time job soon turned into a career.

Jones steadily worked his way through the ranks of the company, learning every aspect of the grocery business along the way. His ability to connect with employees and understand the needs of customers helped him rise quickly through management roles across British Columbia. Over time, he held leadership positions in multiple stores and regional operations, gaining experience in everything from logistics and supply chains to team leadership.

Eventually, Jones was appointed President of Save-On-Foods, one of Western Canada’s largest grocery chains. The company, part of the Jim Pattison Group, operates dozens of stores across the province and employs tens of thousands of workers. As president, Jones oversaw an organization with more than 30,000 team members and served millions of customers every year.

During his tenure, the company expanded its store network, strengthened its supply chain, and navigated major shifts in the grocery industry, including the rise of online ordering and home delivery. The experience gave Jones a reputation as a practical, operations-focused leader who values efficiency, customer service, and strong workplace culture.

Supporters often point to Jones’s background as a key strength. Unlike many politicians who spend their careers in government or party organizations, Jones built his reputation in the private sector. His supporters argue that this experience brings a results-oriented approach to leadership—one focused on solving problems, managing large organizations, and delivering measurable outcomes.

That perspective has become central to his public message. Jones frequently frames his leadership style around accountability and fiscal discipline, emphasizing the importance of making every dollar count and ensuring government programs deliver real value to taxpayers.

In recent years, Jones has stepped more directly into the political arena. His entry into provincial politics reflects a broader trend in British Columbia, where voters increasingly look for leaders with experience managing complex organizations and navigating economic challenges.

As a leadership contender within the Conservative Party of British Columbia, Jones has positioned himself as a candidate focused on economic growth, responsible government spending, and improving affordability for families across the province.

His message often resonates with voters concerned about rising living costs, housing affordability, and the long-term economic direction of the province.

Regardless of the outcome of the leadership race, Jones’s story—from grocery clerk to corporate executive to political contender—reflects a classic British Columbia narrative: a career built through hard work, steady advancement, and a deep connection to the communities that shaped him.

For many observers, that journey may prove to be his most compelling political credential.

Widespread Outages Hit North Okanagan Communities

Residents across the North Okanagan faced a turbulent Sunday as powerful wind gusts swept through the region, downing trees and disrupting the electrical grid. At the peak of the storm, thousands of BC Hydro customers found themselves without electricity, with service interruptions spanning from the northern reaches of Westside Road up to the community of Armstrong.

BC Hydro Responds to Tree Damage

The primary cause of the disruptions has been identified as heavy winds blowing trees and branches into power lines. One of the most significant impacts occurred in the Cherryville area along Highway 6, where 839 customers lost power shortly before 9:00 a.m. Crews were dispatched to clear debris and repair infrastructure as the Southern Interior continues to grapple with persistent wind conditions. While power has been restored to many in Armstrong and along Westside Road as of Sunday afternoon, hundreds remain in the dark as technical teams prioritize repairs.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts

Smaller localized outages have also been reported in Okanagan Centre, Salmon Arm, and the Creighton Valley area. In Creighton Valley alone, approximately 37 customers are waiting for reconnection following damage to local equipment. BC Hydro officials emphasize that while crews are working as quickly as possible, the safety of technicians remains a priority as strong winds are expected to persist throughout the day. Residents are reminded to stay at least 10 meters back from any downed power lines and report emergencies to 911 immediately.

Regional Weather Patterns

This surge in outages coincides with a broader weather system moving through British Columbia’s Interior, bringing high-velocity winds that often challenge aging infrastructure and weakened trees. For those still without service, BC Hydro maintains a live outage map to provide real-time updates on restoration estimates and crew assignments. As the wind event continues, residents are advised to secure loose outdoor items and prepare emergency kits in the event of further interruptions.

The Last ‘Spring Forward’ for British Columbia

As Canadians across the country prepare to nudge their clocks forward one hour this Sunday, residents of British Columbia are doing so with a unique sense of finality. Premier David Eby confirmed this week that the province is moving forward with a long-awaited plan to adopt permanent, year-round daylight saving time. The move marks the end of a decades-long debate in the Pacific province, effectively terminating the biannual ritual of ‘springing forward’ and ‘falling back’ that has governed Canadian life for generations.

The decision is rooted in both public health and overwhelming popular demand. Premier Eby highlighted the practical disruptions caused by the shift, noting that children and pets do not recognize the arbitrary change in time, leading to lost sleep for parents and increased stress for families. “When we change our clocks twice a year, it creates all kinds of problems,” Eby stated during the announcement. Beyond mere inconvenience, the Premier pointed to a spike in car accidents and a general decline in public well-being as primary drivers for the policy shift.

A History of Public Mandate and Political Stalling

British Columbia’s road to permanent daylight time has been long. In 2019, the province conducted one of the most successful public consultations in its history, with a staggering 93 per cent of the 223,000 respondents indicating they wanted to scrap the time change. While former premier John Horgan attempted to implement the change several times, the province initially hesitated, hoping to maintain alignment with southern neighbors in Washington, Oregon, and California.

However, B.C. has now decided to lead the charge. This bold move highlights a growing frustration with what political scientists call a ‘collective action problem.’ Peter Graefe, a political scientist at McMaster University, suggests that many jurisdictions are waiting for a leader to prove that the transition can be seamless. “Maybe it does take one place to move and it will have some impact in having other places saying, ‘Look, the sky didn’t fall, maybe we’ll try it as well,’” Graefe noted.

The Eastern Gridlock: Ontario and Quebec

In Central Canada, the situation is more complex. The Ontario legislature passed a bill in November 2020 that would end the time change, but with a significant caveat: the law only triggers if Quebec and New York State follow suit. This interdependence is driven by the need for economic and logistical synchronization, particularly regarding the stock markets and cross-border trade. Premier Doug Ford has expressed an openness to ending the practice, stating that Ontario will “eventually” stick with daylight saving time to stay in step with the rest of North America, but for now, the province remains in a holding pattern.

Quebec has similarly signaled that while they recognize the public desire to end the time change, no immediate legislative action is planned. Government officials in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba have also confirmed they are not currently pursuing a change, citing the need for regional alignment to avoid creating a patchwork of time zones that could disrupt travel and commerce.

The Prairie Divide

The debate remains particularly contentious in Alberta. In a 2021 municipal referendum, Albertans narrowly voted to keep the biannual change, with the ‘stay’ side winning by fewer than 3,000 votes. Despite this, the government led by Danielle Smith is re-examining the issue. Finance Minister Nate Horner recently suggested that the conversation is “probably coming towards us” again, as the government weighs the impact on airline schedules and professional sports against the potential health benefits.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, however, has expressed skepticism about reopening the debate, suggesting that the narrow victory in 2021 should stand as a settled matter so that the government can focus on more pressing economic priorities.

The Biological Cost of Shifting Time

While the political debate focuses on trade and convenience, health experts are sounding the alarm on the biological toll of the time change. Rebecca Robillard, co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, argues that the issue is far more significant than losing a single hour of sleep. “It actually disrupts the alignment between the biological clock and the natural cycle of the sun,” she explained. This misalignment affects hormone release, insulin regulation, and metabolism.

Robillard points to a chilling list of ramifications associated with the time shift, including increased rates of stroke, heart attacks, mood swings, and even pregnancy complications. From a clinical perspective, the sudden shift forces the body into a state of ‘social jetlag’ that can take weeks to resolve.

The Counter-Argument: The Need for Morning Light

Despite the momentum for permanent daylight saving time, some experts warn of the downsides of year-round DST—specifically the loss of morning light in the winter. Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a professor at York University, notes that our circadian clocks are reset by morning light. Under permanent daylight saving time, some parts of Canada would not see the sun rise until nearly 10:00 a.m. in the middle of winter.

“Everybody loves the idea when you first announce it… but in the winter, we just hate it,” Lakin-Thomas warned. She argues that standard time is actually better for human health because it aligns more closely with the solar cycle, providing the morning light necessary to speed up our internal clocks and keep us in sync with the 24-hour day. As British Columbia embarks on this legislative experiment, the rest of the country—and the scientific community—will be watching closely to see if the benefits truly outweigh the costs.