Clocks go back but can it be the last time in Ontario?

Residents across Ontario, including Mississauga, Brampton, and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, will turn their clocks back one hour this weekend as daylight saving time officially ends.

The time change happens at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, when clocks move back to 1:00 a.m. The switch means an extra hour of sleep for most people but also marks the start of darker evenings as we move deeper into fall.

Daylight saving time in Canada begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. The idea was initially introduced to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer.

Not every region in the country changes its clocks, as parts of Saskatchewan and a few northern communities stay on standard time year-round.

Residents are reminded to manually reset clocks that don’t adjust automatically, such as those on ovens, microwaves, and wall clocks. Smartphones, computers, and most digital devices will update on their own.

The end of daylight saving time often leads to earlier sunrises, but it also means the sun will set an hour earlier, which can impact driving visibility and evening routines. Officials advise giving yourself extra time on the road and being cautious of pedestrians during darker commutes.

As Ontarians enjoy that extra hour of rest, the time change also reminds them to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, a safety habit often tied to the seasonal clock change.

But could this be the last time the clocks change in Ontario? The debate over ending the twice-a-year time switch has been ongoing for several years. In 2020, the Ontario government passed the Time Amendment Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent but only if neighbouring jurisdictions such as Quebec and New York State make the same move.

So far, neither Quebec nor New York has committed to the change, meaning Ontario continues to wait. Many residents have voiced frustration over the disruption the time change causes each year, citing its effects on sleep, productivity, and even road safety.

Until a coordinated decision is made between provinces and states, Ontarians will keep adjusting their clocks twice a year, though the conversation about ending the practice once and for all is far from over.

Ontario’s position

Ontario passed the Time Amendment Act in 2020, led by Ottawa West–Nepean MPP Jeremy Roberts. The law says Ontario will move to permanent daylight saving time (keeping the “spring forward” schedule year-round) only if Quebec and New York State do the same. This condition was added to avoid confusion for cross-border business, trade, and travel.

Quebec’s stance

Quebec Premier François Legault has said he is open to ending the time change but would prefer to do it in coordination with Ontario and neighboring U.S. states. However, as of now, Quebec has not passed any legislation to make daylight saving time permanent. The province continues to follow the current system of changing clocks twice a year.

New York State’s stance

Several New York legislators have introduced bills over the years to adopt permanent daylight saving time, but none have been enacted. The state, like Ontario and Quebec, still observes the usual March/November clock changes. Some neighbouring U.S. states, such as Florida and California, have passed similar bills, but they also need federal approval from Congress to make it official, which has not yet happened.