Well, we did it again!
This past weekend, here in Ontario, we turned the clocks back one hour and officially moved from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time.
For some, that meant an extra hour of sleep. For others, it meant waking up wondering why everyone else in the house was still sleeping. Personally, I’m not sure that extra hour makes up for the fact that it’s now getting dark before some of us have even finished supper!
But here’s something interesting: not everyone in Canada turned their clocks back this weekend.
And it raises a question that seems to come around every November and March: Why are we still doing this?
Why do we change the clocks anyway?
The idea behind Daylight Saving Time is pretty simple. We move the clocks ahead in the spring to give us more daylight in the evening, then move them back in the fall to return to Standard Time.
It was originally introduced to make better use of daylight and was also promoted as a way to save energy.
More than a century later, we’re still doing it. And every time, we have the same routine:
- Did I change the clock in the car?
- Is the coffee maker going to figure this out?
- Why does my body think it’s a different time?
- And why is it dark already?
That last one seems to get louder as we get older!
Not everyone is changing their clocks anymore!
Canada is slowly becoming a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to time.
Saskatchewan has stayed on Standard Time year-round for decades, while Yukon adopted permanent time in 2020.
More recently, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have moved to permanent time based on their former summer clock settings. That means they no longer fall back in November.
Meanwhile, most of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are still changing their clocks twice a year.
Ontario actually passed legislation back in 2020 to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. However, it was conditional on neighbouring jurisdictions, particularly Quebec and New York State, making compatible changes. So, for now, we’re still playing the clock-changing game.
And it isn’t just Canada. Most of the United States still changes its clocks, while Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii don’t observe Daylight Saving Time.
Canada already has six main time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic and Newfoundland. Add different provincial approaches to changing clocks, and keeping track of the time when dealing with people across the country can get interesting.
Imagine scheduling a business meeting:
“Are we meeting at 10?”
“Which 10?”
“Ontario 10 or Alberta 10?”
“Never mind. I’ll send an email!”
Should we just stop changing the clocks?
This is where the debate gets interesting.
There are some pretty good arguments for ending the twice-yearly change. Our bodies don’t necessarily appreciate being told to adjust their internal clocks because the calendar says so.
Even a one-hour change can affect sleep, concentration, routines and productivity. Parents with young children, shift workers, seniors and people who already struggle with sleep know exactly what I’m talking about.
Then there’s the practical side. Businesses, transportation systems, appointments and schedules all have to account for the change. Most technology handles it automatically, but somewhere there’s still an appliance blinking 12:00 and waiting for someone to put it out of its misery.
But if we stop changing the clocks, which time should we keep?
Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time?
There are two choices, and neither makes everyone happy.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time means brighter evenings, particularly during the winter months. For anyone who enjoys getting outside after work, walking the dog, golfing, fishing or spending time around a campfire, there’s plenty to like.
The downside? Winter mornings would be darker. Think about getting the kids ready for school or heading to an early shift when sunrise is pushed even later.
Permanent Standard Time gives us more daylight in the morning. Health experts generally favour this option because morning sunlight helps regulate our natural body clocks and sleep patterns.
The downside? Earlier sunsets, meaning less daylight after work, even during the summer.
Interestingly, a health analysis published in October 2026 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal also leaned toward permanent Standard Time, citing the benefits of morning daylight.
So, while most people might prefer having more daylight in the evening, there’s a health argument for keeping Standard Time.
And that’s where personal preference and science don’t always line up.
So, what would I choose?
Honestly, I’m in favour of getting rid of the twice-a-year clock change. I don’t think our bodies, schedules or household routines need the added confusion.
As for which time to keep, I’m a little torn.
I like the idea of having daylight after work, especially during the winter. But I also understand the importance of brighter mornings, particularly for children heading to school and people commuting to work. Although my commute to work is in the dark regardless of the time change.
What I do think is that governments need to work together. Having one province change its time while its neighbours do something different creates unnecessary complications for families, businesses and people who regularly travel between provinces.
We don’t need another reason to make crossing a provincial border confusing!
A little food for thought…
I’ll leave you with a few questions:
- Would you rather have permanent Daylight Saving Time, with brighter evenings and darker winter mornings?
- Would you prefer permanent Standard Time, with brighter mornings and earlier sunsets?
- Or do you actually like changing the clocks twice a year?
And if we did get rid of the time change, should all of Canada make the decision together, or should each province decide what’s best for its residents?
I’m curious what people think.
Because at the end of the day, whether it’s 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., Monday morning is still Monday morning, and unfortunately, nobody has figured out how to change that!
Just saying…
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