Daylight Savings in Canada 2025

Did you know? Daylight Saving in Canada for the year 2024 starts on March 10; when the clock strikes 2 at night, the time will be pushed forward by one hour. This shift is also known as the Spring Forward and Summer Time. DST in Canada 2024 will end on November 3; at 2 am, the clock will be placed back to its original timing. This is also known as Fall Back or Winter Time.

Daylight Savings: Overview

Daylight saving time is a concept practised in a few regions of the world to maximize the use of sunlight during the day.
Let me explain: due to the earth's axial tilt, a few regions, prominently the ones away from the equator, experience longer days in summers and shorter in winters. This effect observes a greater outcome as one moves away from the equator; due to this phenomenon, the standard set time on the clock does not resonate with the daylight, hence enforcing DST. At the moment, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and some parts of Europe practice the DST in the northern hemisphere. On the other hand, Australia and New Zealand practice DST in the southern. 

Daylight Saving in Canada

We are quite aware of the fact that Canada accommodates 90% of its population in a radius of 150 miles to the USA border. Due to its proximity to the North Pole, a major chunk of the region is uninhabitable. DST Canada is observed in nine provinces and three territories. Canada as a country covers a large area, and following from the east end to the west, the provinces run on different time zones. The regions situated in the east benefit much more from Canada daylight savings than the western regions in the same time zone. The typical implementation of pushing the clock one hour forward during the summertime and back to its original position during winter is to make better use of daylight by prolonging the time we can spend outside during the daylight hours. 

Daylight Saving in Canada: History

Back in the 17th century, Benjamin Franklin introduced the concept of daylight savings but actually did not propose it. This attribute was taken up later on in the 18th century and was implemented by changing the typical working hours and not the clock shift. Port Arthur, Ontario, was the first city to enact daylight savings in Canada on July 1, 1908. Subsequently, five other Canadian cities adopted the time change by April 30, 1918. The five cities were Regina, Saskatchewan, St. John's, Newfoundland, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Hamilton, Ontario. However, Canada daylight savings, in practice, was completely aligned with the one practised in the United States to initiate a smooth and persistent economic and social interaction. Know how the US has aligned DST in various regions by exploring this guide to daylight savings in the US. In 1986, DST ended in October and was later pushed to November in 1987. The last amendment to the DST range was made in 2007; it was when the April to November range was implemented. At that point in time, most of the Canadian provinces and territories strictly followed all these changes made by the US.

DST in Canada Today

A major chunk of Canadian provinces and territories today have adopted daylight saving time. However, there are a few places where the DST Canada is not used and runs on the standard time all year around. There is no such rule that a province requires to follow this attribute and, hence, the disruption. For example, some locations in British Columbia like Chetwynd, Creston, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, and Fort St. John, in Saskatchewan, areas like Creighton and Denare Beach, the northwest part of Ontario and the eastern part of Quebec. All these areas prefer to function by the standard time all year round. 

Is Daylight Saving in Canada No More to be Followed?

As mentioned earlier, Daylight savings in Canada remains up to the province to be practised or not. However, some have tried to end this for good. According to Bill 214, the Time Amendment Act, the Ontario government mentioned ending the twice-annual changing of the clocks. Although, this legislation hasn't been acted upon to date. This act will only be initiated if the states of New York and Quebec agree to do so. However, the changes won't go under any kind of initiation because over 50% of the provinces voted in favor of Canada Daylight Saving Time.

How to Adjust to Daylight Saving in Canada?

Daylight Savings in Canada was initiated for a good cause: to make maximum use of the sunlight during the waking hours. Although, this routine can hamper the body clock. Due to this shift twice a year, people can have trouble falling asleep, and the circadian rhythms won't be aligned with the natural cycles of light and darkness. Below are a few tips one can follow in order to keep up with the time shift. 

1. Tweak Your Bedtime

Often, during the end of DST, one might find themselves waking up early but might struggle to sleep at the right time. At such times, professionals suggest sleeping late until the wake-up time is adjusted. One must absolutely follow the classic sleep advice such as no screen before bedtime, avoiding caffeine, managing racing thoughts before they begin, etc. One can also ponder upon the importance of sleep and get insights into its relation to your health. 

2. Use the Extra Hour of Sun

It is a mandatory action for everyone to use the extra hour of sun during DST. That is the main reason for its initiation. It is noticed that a major chunk of the population undergoes seasonal depression and sadness. Professionals suggest experiencing light therapy either under the sunlight or artificial light for better functionality. During such times, daylight and physical activity can be of huge help. 

3. Eating Habits

Eating protein-packed meals during DST will help maintain blood sugar levels and keep one energized all day long. It cannot be easy to adjust to the new meal times, but it is what one must learn in order to function normally.   

4. Consider Relaxation Techniques

The Canada Daylight Saving Time will surely cause a lot of disruption; during such times, adopting relaxation techniques is a must to keep the mind and body running smoothly. One can try deep breathing to mindful meditation to bring calm. In the week before the shift, one could adopt these techniques and gradually adjust their bedtime. Relaxation methods may also come in handy when anxiety or stress kicks in during the day.

5. Get Active

If not during the week, then try getting that extra dose of dopamine on the weekend by doing some sweat-wrecking activity. Exercise reduces cortisol levels and aids in falling asleep faster. The body and mind work along the same lines; it is important to take care of both. Our slow-wave sleep is responsible for our physical restoration. All the dots connect at the end; you do one good deed for your body, and it ripples to another.

Lastly, this is the entire compilation of data you need to know about Daylight Savings in Canada. The concept was introduced for better productivity during the waking hours but it comes along with a lot of side effects. One must adjust to the time shift to make the most of it. Also, make sure you familiarise yourself with Daylight Savings in the USA since most Canadian provinces go according to the USA amendments.