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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Western Canada Shifts to Permanent Daylight Time
On Sunday, several provinces and territories in Western Canada woke up to a new approach to timekeeping, as British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, northwestern Ontario, and the Northwest Territories collectively decided to stay on daylight time year-round. This move eliminates the usual fall back of clocks by one hour during autumn. Saskatchewan has long practiced a no-adjustment policy for its clocks and remains unchanged by this recent shift.
Parents Applaud End of the Biannual Time Change
For many parents, the end of the biannual time change brings a sense of relief, particularly for those juggling young children's routines. Jenn Irwin-Greer, who operates a dayhome business in Edmonton, noted that the adjustment period following a time change often made children irritable and disrupted nap times. Irwin-Greer hopes that the new system will make things easier going forward. Her experience highlights how the time change historically caused disruptions in childcare and affected children's sleep schedules.
Reactions from Local Families
At an Edmonton recreation centre, parents expressed their approval for the shift to permanent daylight saving time. Amanda Petrie, whose seven-year-old son had just finished a hockey game, said, “I’m going to be honest, I do kind of like it. It’s just easier with kids when you don’t have to adjust their schedule.” For families, eliminating the need to adjust clocks means a smoother transition and potentially fewer issues with sleep disruption or daycare scheduling.
Community Members Support More Evening Daylight
Siva Sivabalan, another Edmonton resident, welcomed the change, stating his preference for extra daylight in the evening. “I rather have more daylight in the evening time rather than the morning,” he said, as his daughter played nearby. This sentiment is echoed by other community members who appreciate longer daylight hours after work or school, which can provide more opportunities for outdoor activities.
Potential Impacts and Adjustments for Businesses
While parents seem pleased with the move away from the time change, some businesses and organizations must now adapt to a revised time zone map. With these provinces and territories aligning on permanent daylight time, businesses that operate across multiple provinces or internationally may need to adjust their schedules and coordination practices to account for the difference. This period of transition could involve revisiting meeting times, transportation schedules, and software systems that handle time zones.
Saskatchewan Remains an Outlier
Saskatchewan already stood apart due to its longstanding policy of not changing clocks seasonally. This means the province continues to avoid the biannual ritual of clock adjustment that other regions are now eliminating. Its example may have contributed to the broader regional momentum toward abolishing daylight saving time changes in neighboring provinces.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Time Zones in Canada
The decision to maintain permanent daylight time marks a significant change in how Western Canada manages time. With widespread support among parents and families for simplified routines, and careful adaptation required from businesses, provinces will monitor how these changes affect daily life and operations. The move could prompt other regions to consider similar adjustments as well.
Source: globalnews.ca.
