Daylight Saving Time

As most people in Canada and the U.S. hopefully know, Daylight Saving Time will start in a few hours (if it has not already begun). On that subject, then, here is part of an article on the CBC website:

"Daylight time traditionally sets in at 2 a.m. local times on the first Sunday in April. Clocks are turned back an hour the last Sunday in October.

However, beginning next year, daylight time will begin two weeks earlier and end one week later.

The United States is leading the move in a bid to save energy. Most of Canada will follow suit."

Yet, in the indepth article about Daylight Saving Time, it says:

"In July 2005, U.S. legislators voted to extend daylight time by one month in the spring and one month in the fall, so daylight time would start the first weekend in March and end the last weekend in November. Time experts predict scheduling chaos if Canada doesn't follow suit."

And, later on:

"U.S. President George W. Bush signed legislation in August 2005 calling for daylight time to start on the second Sunday in March, three weeks earlier than the traditional start. The bill also extends daylight time by a week to the first Sunday in November."

Well, which is it? Three weeks? Two weeks? One week? A month? Perhaps the legislation was amended. Several times. Or perhaps I have terrible reading comprehension.

Anyway, as the article says, some have debated the actual usefulness of the legislation when it comes to conserving energy. In my opinion, as long as people don't assume that all energy problems are now solved, I really don't mind either way. It is probable, however, that the changes will be costly. In that case, I hope that the Canadian and U.S. governments carefully weighed the ramifications (both positive and negative) before passing the legislation.

Edited to add: Incidentally, I find the phrase "time experts" in the second quotation rather amusing. :o)