Canadians Prepare to Spring Forward as Daylight Time Arrives

As daylight time approaches, Canadians will soon adjust their clocks forward by one hour. The change takes effect on Sunday, March 8, 2024, at 2 a.m. local time. This shift aims to maximize evening sunlight during the spring and summer months, promoting more outdoor activities and longer daylight hours.

For most Canadians, the transition to daylight time means adjusting clocks, particularly for those using traditional alarm clocks or wristwatches. Many smartphones automatically update the time, but those relying on manual adjustments should remember to set their clocks ahead before going to bed on Saturday night.

Daylight time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, when clocks revert to standard time. Currently, most provinces and territories in Canada participate in this biannual clock change, with notable exceptions including Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, and certain areas of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut.

Growing Calls to End Seasonal Clock Changes

There is increasing momentum to eliminate the practice of changing clocks twice a year. A 2025 study linked seasonal time changes to a heightened risk of obesity and stroke, alongside other health concerns such as increased heart attacks and fatal traffic accidents. These issues arise in part due to the disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates various physiological processes.

According to Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a biology professor at York University, “When you move your social clock even by an hour, you’re putting yourself in a one-hour jet lag.” She emphasizes that a shift to year-round standard time could enhance public health across the population.

In response to health concerns, Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde introduced a private member’s bill in 2025 aimed at stopping seasonal clock changes. She expressed the need to gather input from various stakeholders, including parents and young people, to create a consensus on this issue. “We can hopefully come to a consensus to have an agreement that we stop changing our time twice a year,” Lalonde stated.

In 2020, Ontario passed legislation to remain on daylight time permanently, contingent upon similar actions from neighboring Quebec and New York State. A public consultation in Quebec in 2024 revealed strong support for year-round daylight time, indicating a shifting perspective among residents regarding timekeeping practices.

While U.S. states have the authority to adopt permanent standard time, current federal law prohibits the acceptance of permanent daylight time. As discussions continue, the implications of seasonal clock changes on health and well-being remain a priority for many Canadians.

With the annual adjustment set to take place shortly, Canadians are reminded to prepare for the change, which not only affects their daily routines but also sparks broader conversations about health and lifestyle.