What to know
- Ontario clocks will turn back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, marking the end of daylight saving time.
- Most of Ontario will return to standard time, while parts of Northwestern Ontario will remain on permanent daylight saving time.
- British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have announced plans to stop seasonal clock changes.
- Saskatchewan and Yukon already observe time year-round without changing their clocks.
- Quebec is considering ending seasonal time changes next year, potentially making this November’s clock change its last.
Ontario clocks will be turning back one hour this weekend, as daylight savings time is set to end ahead of winter, despite other provinces moving forward without seasonal time change.
Those who live in Ontario might be getting an extra hour of sleep this weekend, as clocks return to standard time on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m., when clocks will be turning back to 1 a.m. The standard time will stay on until March, when daylight savings would begin again ahead of spring.
But this year, the seasonal time change might not be as simple as in previous years. With several provinces and territories announcing the end of the practice, Canadians might find themselves second guessing time conversion.
What happens when we turn our clocks back?
Those who wake up early in the morning might have noticed that days are starting later and ending earlier, as we transition into the colder months. In Toronto on Thursday, the sun started shining at around 7:49 a.m. and is expected to set at around 6:12 p.m.
Turning our clocks back one hour, would mean earlier sunrises, as well as earlier sunsets across the city.
As of today’s forecasts, the sun is expected to rise at around 6:53 a.m. on Nov. 1, and to set at 5:08 p.m.
Which provinces will or won’t be getting a time change?
Provinces and territories turning their clocks back one hour include most of Ontario, including Toronto and Ottawa, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most of Nunavut.
Northern Ontario
In contrast, other provinces have recently announced they will be steering away from the seasonal clock change.
Although most of Ontario will be turning their clocks back, the provincial government announced earlier this month that parts of Northwestern Ontario would be moving to permanent daylight saving time.
At the time, the province said the move would lead to less disruptions for businesses, residents, and Indigenous communities in the region. These communities will then not be turning their clocks back on Nov. 1.
British Columbia
The government of British Columbia adopted permanent daylight saving time in March, arguing the move would reduce disruptions for residents and grant one extra hour of daylight every day, improving quality of life and overall health in the province.
The province last changed its clocks on Mar. 8 to Pacific time (PCT), moving one hour ahead for the last time. Contrary to past years, residents won’t be turning their clocks back this November.
Alberta
In April, the government of Alberta followed suit, adopting the permanent Alberta Time, which is the same as the Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Instead of bringing clocks forward during spring for Daylight Savings Time and going back to MDT, the province will now skip the change, staying on MDT year-round.
According to Alberta’s government, the move aims to reduce frustration and introduce predictability for residents.
Manitoba and the Northwest Territories
Manitobans will also not be reverting their clocks this weekend, as the provincial government announced in September that it will adopt a permanent time. According to the government, the move comes after a poll found 92 per cent of residents wanted to see the end of seasonal clock changes.
Also in September, the Northwest Territories’ government announced it would be adopting year-round Mountain Daylight Time, also not turning time back on Nov. 1.
Saskatchewan and Yukon
Saskatchewan and Yukon had already ended the seasonal time change years ago, and will also not be resetting their clocks this weekend.
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Quebec announces changes next year
For Quebec, this might be the last time residents will be turning their clocks back.
On Wednesday, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced his administration is looking to end seasonal time changes next year.
Like in Ontario, clocks will go back one hour at 2 a.m. on Nov. 1, but they might not be moved forward ahead of spring next year.
“Parti Québécois has taken a stand several times to challenge daylight saving time. Studies show that this practice is counterproductive for health and poses adaptation challenges for children,” he said in a post on X.
“We will therefore consult all the specialists to validate what appears to be a consensus that this practice is counterproductive, but also to ensure we properly prepare the ground and determine whether it would be preferable to opt for daylight saving time or standard time.”
