Canada ends seasonal clock changes in several provinces as daylight saving time ends

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 02, 2026

Photo courtesy: CP24

Daylight saving time ended in parts of Canada on Sunday, November 1, but millions of residents did not turn their clocks back this year as several provinces and territories adopted permanent time systems.

According to official government announcements, most of British Columbia, along with Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, kept their clocks unchanged. Saskatchewan and Yukon already observe fixed time throughout the year, while parts of northwestern Ontario have also stopped seasonal adjustments.

Meanwhile, residents in major cities such as Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, along with those in much of Atlantic Canada, turned their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. local time.

The different rules have changed the time gaps between Canadian regions, affecting travel schedules, appointments and communications across provincial boundaries.

Western provinces adopt permanent time

British Columbia announced in March that most of the province would remain on permanent daylight saving time, keeping Vancouver and Victoria at UTC-7 throughout the year.

However, some communities in northern and southeastern B.C. have historically followed different time arrangements. The province’s published guidance retains separate rules for these areas, including the East Kootenay and Golden region, where local time practices require particular attention.

Alberta adopted permanent Alberta Time, or UTC-6, ending the practice of moving clocks backward in November and forward in March.

Manitoba also introduced a year-round time system, officially called Manitoba Standard Time, or UTC-5. Despite its name, the new time is equivalent to the daylight saving time previously observed in the province between March and November.

The Northwest Territories adopted a permanent UTC-6 time system, allowing the territory to remain aligned with Alberta and most of Saskatchewan.

Parts of Ontario also stop changing clocks

Ontario introduced a separate change for communities west of the 90th meridian, including the Kenora area.

Under Ontario Regulation 333/26, which took effect November 1, the affected region now follows UTC-5 year-round.

The adjustment allows these communities to remain aligned with Manitoba during the winter months.

Toronto, Ottawa and other communities in Ontario’s Eastern Time Zone continue to observe seasonal clock changes.

What changes for Filipino Canadians?

The Philippines does not observe daylight saving time, meaning Philippine clocks remain unchanged throughout the year.

However, the difference between Philippine time and Canadian local time depends on the time zone observed in each Canadian city.

As of November 2, the Philippines is 15 hours ahead of Vancouver, 14 hours ahead of Calgary and Edmonton, and 13 hours ahead of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg.

For residents with relatives abroad, the changes may affect the usual times for calls and virtual meetings.

Within Canada, Vancouver is now two hours behind Toronto rather than three during the winter months. Winnipeg and Toronto also share the same local time under Manitoba’s new system.

Why are provinces ending seasonal clock changes?

Provincial governments have cited disruptions to sleep, daily routines and business schedules among the reasons for ending the twice-yearly adjustment.

In Manitoba, nearly 72,000 people participated in a public consultation, with 92% of respondents supporting an end to seasonal clock changes.

The Northwest Territories also reported that more than 87% of respondents in its 2022 consultation favoured eliminating the practice.

The changes may also require updates to electronic calendars, booking systems and other devices that automatically adjust for daylight saving time.

Manitoba’s government has advised residents to check travel reservations, medical appointments and recurring meetings, particularly when coordinating with people in different time zones.

For Canadian regions that continue observing seasonal daylight saving time, the next scheduled adjustment will take place on March 14, 2027, when clocks move forward one hour.