Washington is close to establishing daylight saving time.. so where does Canada stand on ending the clock change?

A new American move towards adopting permanent daylight saving time has brought the issue of changing the clock back to the forefront of discussion in Canada, where some provinces have already begun abandoning the practice of moving the clock forward and backward twice a year, while other areas are still awaiting broader coordination with their neighbors.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the "Sunshine Protection Act" by a majority of 308 votes to 117, in a step aimed at fixing daylight saving time year-round and ending the return to standard time in the fall.

The House vote does not mean the decision has become effective, as the bill still needs Senate approval before being referred to President Donald Trump, who announced his support for ending the twice-yearly clock change.

If the legislative process is completed, most U.S. states will keep the clock one hour ahead during the winter months, meaning later sunsets in the evening, but it will also result in the sun rising later in the morning.

The American development carries direct importance for Canada, given the strong economic and social ties between the two countries, and the reliance of transportation, aviation, trade, broadcasting, and financial markets sectors on time coordination across the border.

Decision in Canada is the responsibility of the provinces

The Canadian federal government does not have the authority to impose a unified time system across the country, as each province and territory sets the rules related to daylight saving time and clock changes.

For this reason, the systems in place vary between Canadian regions, between provinces that still change the clock in spring and fall, and others that have chosen to adopt a single time year-round.

British Columbia ends clock changes

British Columbia became the first major Canadian province to decide to switch to permanent daylight saving time, after moving the clock forward on March 8, 2026, for the last time.

Under the new system, the province will not move the clock back on November 1, and will remain on the same time throughout the year under the name "Pacific Time."

This means that British Columbia will remain one hour ahead during the winter compared to its previous system, with more daylight in the evening hours and a later sunrise in the morning.

Alberta follows in November

Alberta also adopted a permanent time system called "Alberta Time," which was previously known as Mountain Daylight Time.

The province will not move the clock back in November 2026, becoming fixed time year-round and aligned in winter and summer with other parts of western Canada.

The decision came after consultations showed broad support for ending the clock change, although a 2021 referendum showed a sharp division and ended with a narrow rejection of the change.

Ontario has a law... but it has not come into effect

Ontario passed a law in 2020 allowing permanent daylight saving time, but the legislation has not yet come into effect because it requires an official declaration from the provincial government.

The step is practically linked to Ontario coordinating with Quebec and New York State to avoid new time differences between Toronto, Montreal, and New York, cities connected by intensive trade, financial markets, and transportation.

Since Quebec and New York have not yet adopted permanent daylight saving time, Ontario will continue to change the clock according to the usual system for now.

However, U.S. approval of the new bill could remove one of the main obstacles for Ontario, especially if New York State moves automatically or legislatively to a fixed time.

Quebec’s position will remain a decisive factor, as Ontario’s unilateral transition could lead to a time difference lasting several months between Ottawa and Toronto on one side, and Montreal and Gatineau on the other.

Canadian areas that do not change the clock at all

Yukon residents have lived on fixed time since 2020, as the territory remains seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time year-round, and its residents neither move the clock forward nor back.

Most of Saskatchewan also follows Central Standard Time year-round, except for some border areas that follow different arrangements to align with neighboring communities.

After the decisions of British Columbia and Alberta, western Canada is clearly moving towards ending the clock change, while most eastern and Atlantic provinces continue to follow the seasonal system.

Debate between evening light and sleep health

Supporters of permanent daylight saving time believe that increased daylight in the evening may encourage outdoor activities, support tourism, retail, and restaurant sectors, and reduce the disruption caused by changing the clock twice a year.

On the other hand, opponents warn that fixing daylight saving time will make winter mornings darker, especially in northern cities, and children and workers may have to head to schools and workplaces before sunrise.

Some sleep experts prefer permanent standard time rather than daylight saving time, considering it more in harmony with the natural biological clock, while supporters of daylight saving time focus on the social and economic benefits of evening light.

What will happen in the fall?

The fall of 2026 will witness the first major time split of its kind among Canadian provinces; while British Columbia and Alberta will keep their clocks as they are, Ontario, Quebec, and most other provinces will move the clock back on November 1, unless their governments make new decisions before that date.

As for the American shift, it remains undecided until the bill passes the Senate, but the House approval has reopened the door for wider changes in Canada.

If the United States adopts permanent daylight saving time, Canadian provinces economically linked to it will face increasing pressure to coordinate, which may bring the clock change in Canada closer to its end, but gradually and differently from one province to another.