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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Doug Ford Signals Willingness to End Seasonal Time Changes
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has stated he is "very, very open" to eliminating seasonal time changes in Ontario, provided that neighbouring jurisdictions, namely Quebec and New York, are in agreement. Ford underscored the importance of regional cooperation in any move to transition to permanent time in Ontario.
Regional Alignment Key to Province's Approach
Ford emphasized the need for Ontario to align its time practices with Quebec and bordering U.S. states to ensure smooth economic and financial operations. "We have to be in line with Quebec and align the lines of New York for the financial sector, [it] just makes life easier," Ford said while speaking to reporters at Queen’s Park.
Quebec Weighs Ending Seasonal Clock Changes
Quebec is actively considering the elimination of seasonal clock changes, but the provincial government has not decided whether to adopt permanent daylight saving or standard time. Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called the practice counterproductive and highlighted adaptation challenges, especially for children. Both Ontario and Quebec recently set their clocks back to standard time, as most jurisdictions in the region did.
Provinces Across Canada Move to Permanent Time
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories have already abolished seasonal time changes, opting for either permanent daylight saving or standard time. Parts of Northwestern Ontario have also switched to permanent daylight saving time, but the majority of the province remains on eastern standard time and participated in the clock change last weekend.
Impacts and Ongoing Discussion
The move to eliminate seasonal time changes in several provinces was aimed at reducing confusion, improving residents' quality of life, and addressing health concerns. However, the changes have also led to confusion among residents, with some reporting irregularities such as devices not updating automatically and uncertainty over their province's current time status.
Ford reiterated the necessity of reaching consensus with Quebec, especially because the two provinces share a border in Ottawa. "We can’t go on up in Ottawa, go across the river, and there’s an hour behind either way, we need to be in the same scene," he said. The Ontario government remains open to discussions and is seeking collaborative solutions with neighbouring jurisdictions about possible province-wide changes regarding seasonal time practices.
Looking Ahead
As discussions with Quebec and other regional partners continue, Ontario's approach to eliminating seasonal time changes will center on maintaining economic ties and easing regional confusion. The outcome will depend on whether consensus can be reached among key neighbouring jurisdictions.
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Source: nowtoronto.com.
