Starting November 1, 2026, a long-standing tradition of changing the clocks in the fall will come to an end for millions of Canadians. Several provinces and territories are switching to permanent time, so people will no longer have to change the clock twice a year.
Residents of Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories will feel the most noticeable changes. At the same time, parts of the country will continue to follow the familiar system of seasonal time changes.
Alberta Switches to Permanent Time
For residents of Calgary, Edmonton, and other cities in Alberta, this fall will be historic. On the night of November 1, clocks will no longer be set back one hour.
The province is switching to Alberta Time (ABT)—a permanent time zone of UTC−6, which corresponds to the current daylight saving time. This means that the time in Alberta will remain the same throughout the year, regardless of the season.
For most people, this means less confusion, no need to change the time on electronic or mechanical devices twice a year, and a consistent schedule.
Manitoba Will Also No Longer Change the Clocks
Manitoba has made the same decision.
Starting November 1, the province will remain at UTC−5 year-round. Whereas clocks used to be set back in the fall, this will no longer happen.
For Winnipeg residents, this means the city will always be one hour ahead of Calgary and Edmonton.
Saskatchewan Will See Almost No Change
For most Saskatchewan residents, practically nothing will change.
The province has been operating on a permanent UTC−6 time zone for many years without seasonal time changes. In 2026, the government merely updated the legislation to align the rules following Alberta’s transition to the new system.
As a result, Alberta and Saskatchewan will now operate in the same time zone year-round.
British Columbia Is Also Phasing Out Daylight Saving Time
In British Columbia, the last province-wide switch to daylight saving time took place in the spring of 2026.
After that, most of the province’s population will remain on UTC−7 regardless of the season.
At the same time, certain regions of the province traditionally have their own time rules, so local residents should check the information specific to their community.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories are also switching to a permanent time zone of UTC−6.
This means that throughout the year, their time will be the same as in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Yukon has been operating without daylight saving time for several years
The Yukon was one of the first regions in Canada to abandon daylight saving time back in 2020.
The territory uses standard UTC−7, and nothing will change for its residents.
How this will affect the time difference between cities
After November 1, the time difference between many cities in Western Canada will become permanent.
For example:
- Vancouver — UTC−7;
- Calgary — UTC−6;
- Edmonton — UTC−6;
- Regina — UTC−6;
- Saskatoon — UTC−6;
- Winnipeg — UTC−5.
This means that if it’s 8:00 in Vancouver, it will be 9:00 in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Saskatoon, and 10:00 in Winnipeg.
And this time difference will no longer change in the spring or fall.
What about eastern Canada?
Not all provinces have abandoned daylight saving time.
Ontario and Quebec are keeping the current system for now. In the winter, they’ll be on UTC−5, and in the spring, they’ll switch back to daylight saving time (UTC−4).
Daylight saving time will also remain in effect in:
- New Brunswick;
- Nova Scotia;
- Prince Edward Island;
- Newfoundland and Labrador.
In Nunavut, the situation is even more complex, as the territory spans several time zones, and some communities have long followed their own rules.
The time difference between cities may now vary
Since only part of the country is switching to permanent time, the time difference between individual cities will depend on the season.
For example, in winter, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal will be on the same time. But in the spring, Ontario and Quebec will set their clocks forward again, while Manitoba will remain on standard time. As a result, Toronto and Montreal will be one hour ahead of Winnipeg.
Canada’s New Time Map
After decades of the familiar clock changes, Canada is effectively transitioning to a new system.
Western and parts of central Canada are gradually phasing out daylight saving time, while the eastern provinces are sticking with the traditional approach for now.
For Albertans, this means one thing: after November 1, 2026, they will no longer have to change their clocks twice a year, and the time will remain the same regardless of the season.