Ontario residents will turn their clocks back again this fall, even though the province passed legislation nearly six years ago that could eventually end the twice-a-year time change.

And as more parts of Canada abandon the practice, the obvious question is: Why is Ontario still doing it?

Daylight Saving Time ends in most of Ontario at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks move back one hour.

The strange part is that Ontario already passed legislation designed to make the time currently used during Daylight Saving Time permanent.

The Time Amendment Act received royal assent on Nov. 30, 2020. The legislation amended Ontario’s Time Act so the province could remain on the equivalent of Daylight Saving Time throughout the year instead of switching back and forth every March and November.

But there is a catch.

The legislation does not automatically take effect. It specifically says it will come into force on a date proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor, and those provisions have still not been brought into force.

When the change was introduced, Ontario wanted to move in coordination with Quebec and New York State, two major neighbouring jurisdictions with extensive economic and transportation connections to Ontario.

Neither has made the switch.

Last 30 Days: 55,245 Votes

All Time: 1,541,825 Votes

1695 VOTES
Do you still shop at indoor malls regularly?

Quebec continues to change its clocks, while New York has also not moved to permanent Daylight Saving Time. U.S. federal law currently allows states to opt out of Daylight Saving Time and remain on standard time, but does not allow states to independently adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time.

What is happening across Canada?

Canada is increasingly becoming a patchwork when it comes to changing the clocks.

Here is where every province and territory stands as of September 2026:

Ontario: Most of the province still changes clocks twice a year. Ontario has legislation allowing a move to permanent Daylight Saving Time, but it has not been brought into force. Some northwestern communities already follow different time practices.
Quebec: Most of Quebec continues to change clocks in March and November. Some areas in eastern Quebec, including Blanc-Sablon, do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
British Columbia: Seasonal clock changes are ending. B.C.’s March 8, 2026 change was the final seasonal shift for most of the province, which will remain on UTC-7 year-round.
Alberta: Clock changes are ending. Alberta will not turn its clocks back in November 2026 and will instead remain on Alberta Time, UTC-6, year-round.
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan already uses Central Standard Time, UTC-6, year-round and does not change its clocks, although legislation allows some border communities to align with neighbouring jurisdictions.
Manitoba: Manitoba is ending seasonal clock changes and will not turn its clocks back in November 2026. It will remain on permanent daylight time.
New Brunswick: Continues to change clocks twice a year.
Nova Scotia: Continues to change clocks twice a year.
Prince Edward Island: Continues to change clocks twice a year.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Continues to observe seasonal time changes, although time practices can vary in parts of Labrador.
Yukon: Does not change its clocks. Yukon moved to a permanent year-round time in 2020.
Northwest Territories: Seasonal clock changes have officially ended. The territory will not turn its clocks back on Nov. 1, 2026 and will remain on Northwest Territories Time, UTC-6, year-round.
Nunavut: Most communities continue to observe seasonal clock changes, although there are exceptions, including Southampton Island.

That means the Canadian map will look considerably different after Nov. 1.

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories will all effectively operate without the traditional twice-a-year clock change, although their permanent time standards and local exceptions differ. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most of Nunavut will continue changing their clocks.

For Ontario, the issue is no longer whether legislation exists to eliminate the time change. It does.

The question is when, or whether, the province will actually bring that legislation into force.

For now, most Ontario residents should still plan to “fall back” on Nov. 1, setting their clocks back one hour, while millions of Canadians in several other provinces and territories will leave their clocks exactly where they are.


INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies

Stay in the know.

Subscribe now to receive our daily email of today’s top stories in your city!