Parts of northwestern Ontario are set to move to permanent daylight saving time on November 1, 2026, ending the twice-yearly clock changes for communities that currently follow Central Time. The Ontario government announced the proposed change on October 13, aiming to keep the region aligned with neighbouring Manitoba. The change will affect Kenora and other communities in northwestern Ontario that have historically followed the same seasonal time changes as Manitoba. Under the plan, residents will not need to turn their clocks back one hour on November 1, when daylight saving time normally ends. Instead, the affected communities will remain on Central Daylight Time throughout the year. The provincial government said the move is intended to provide greater consistency for residents, businesses, families and Indigenous communities that regularly interact across the Ontario-Manitoba border. Many people in the region travel to Manitoba for work, education, health-care appointments, shopping and other essential services. The decision follows Manitoba’s announcement in September that it plans to maintain daylight saving time year-round, beginning November 1, 2026. Without a corresponding change, communities in northwestern Ontario that currently follow Central Time would face a different time arrangement from neighbouring Manitoba during the winter months. Local leaders and communities have been discussing the issue to determine which option would best reflect the region’s economic and social connections. Options included continuing seasonal clock changes, aligning with the rest of Ontario’s Eastern Time Zone or remaining aligned with Manitoba. The province said consultations with municipalities, First Nations and regional leaders helped build support for permanent daylight saving time. Officials indicated that maintaining a consistent time with Manitoba would make cross-border activities easier to coordinate and reduce confusion for people who regularly travel between the two jurisdictions. The change applies to communities in northwestern Ontario that observe Central Time and currently change their clocks seasonally. Kenora and surrounding areas are among those affected, along with communities such as Dryden, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Rainy River, subject to the final regulatory arrangements. Communities elsewhere in Ontario will not automatically be affected. Toronto, Ottawa and most of southern and eastern Ontario will continue observing Eastern Time and the existing twice-yearly clock changes. Thunder Bay will also continue following Eastern Time.
Normally, clocks in areas observing daylight saving time are moved back one hour in early November. Under the proposed change, affected communities in northwestern Ontario will remain on daylight saving time instead.
This means residents will not experience the usual one-hour change on November 1. Their clocks will remain aligned with Manitoba, which is also moving to permanent daylight saving time. The government intends to implement the change through a regulation under Ontario’s Time Act. Residents and businesses should watch for final implementation details and ensure that calendars, scheduling systems and electronic devices reflect the applicable local time. The change is expected to simplify scheduling for businesses that operate across the provincial boundary. Companies coordinating deliveries, transportation, appointments and staff schedules will be able to work with a consistent time throughout the year.
Health-care providers and patients who travel between communities in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba may also benefit from fewer scheduling complications. Schools, public services, community organizations and families with connections across the border could experience similar benefits. For residents, eliminating seasonal clock changes means fewer disruptions to sleep schedules and daily routines. However, permanent daylight saving time will also mean darker winter mornings than under standard time, while providing more daylight in the late afternoon and evening compared with standard time. Ontario passed legislation in 2020 that could allow the province to adopt permanent daylight saving time more broadly. However, implementation has been linked to coordination with neighbouring jurisdictions, including Quebec and New York, because differences in timekeeping can affect commerce, broadcasting and financial markets. The current announcement is limited to the affected parts of northwestern Ontario. It does not mean the entire province will stop changing clocks in November 2026. The decision marks a significant change for the region, reflecting its close connections with Manitoba and the practical needs of people who live and work along the provincial border. If implemented as planned, November 1 will be the last scheduled autumn clock change for the affected communities, bringing year-round daylight saving time to this part of Ontario.