Ontario Moving to Permanent Daylight Saving Time in Parts of Northwestern Ontario

KENORA — The Ontario government intends to make daylight saving time permanent in Kenora and the northwestern regions of Ontario that have historically been aligned with neighbouring Manitoba. The proposed regulatory change would be implemented by November 1, 2026, to ensure there is no disruption for businesses, families and Indigenous communities in Ontario’s central time zone. Maintaining alignment with Manitoba would help businesses operate more efficiently across provincial boundaries, while making it easier for residents and service providers to coordinate activities such as health-care appointments and travel.

“Providing certainty and predictability is essential to supporting strong communities and a competitive economy,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “By keeping this part of the province aligned with Manitoba, our government is taking a practical, common-sense approach to avoid unnecessary disruptions and ensure economic stability in communities that reside in Ontario’s central time zone.”

This decision comes after considerable engagement with communities throughout northwestern Ontario, including Indigenous leaders, that began following Manitoba’s declaration of permanently moving to daylight saving time. This engagement revealed substantial support for maintaining alignment with Manitoba. The government will continue to work with local leaders and communities as this proposed change moves forward.

“Through the collective efforts of communities and First Nations across the northwest, we’ve led a process to build consensus the right way, with detailed and nuanced considerations,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “What has emerged is unanimous support across the region to move to permanent daylight saving time, and our government is proud to support the people of northwestern Ontario as we make this decision, together.”

Under the proposed change, affected communities in northwestern Ontario that currently change their clocks seasonally would not need to turn them back on November 1, 2026. Communities west of the 90th meridian would share the same time as the remainder of Ontario during the winter months. This change would be made through a regulation under the Time Act.

• Daylight saving time is the portion of the year from March to November during which the time in effect is one hour ahead of the standard time observed during the rest of the year.
• The central time zone begins west of the 90th meridian, a north-south line of longitude that crosses northwestern Ontario.
• Ontario communities in the eastern time zone would continue to change their clocks twice a year.
• On September 17, 2026, Manitoba announced plans to adopt permanent daylight saving time beginning November 1, 2026.
• The Time Amendment Act, 2020 would make daylight saving time permanent as the standard time year-round in all of Ontario, when brought into force. Coordination with neighbouring jurisdictions such as Quebec and New York is important for trade, the stock market and broadcasting.