This means there will be no “fall back” on November 1, 2026, in Alberta.
Alberta clock change in detailThe bill in Alberta received Royal Assent on May 14, 2026 , “with exceptions”. According to the government in Alberta, the change is not yet in effect until proclamation occurs .
Since the 1970s, Alberta has observed Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) in winter and Mountain Daylight Time (UTC−6) in summer. Under the new legislation, the province will remain on UTC−6 year-round.
Simplified Timekeeping at the Border
The proposed change would also simplify timekeeping for residents of the Lloydminster area, which straddles the Alberta–Saskatchewan border.
Lloydminster currently follows Alberta’s Mountain Time schedule, meaning it observes UTC−7 in winter and UTC−6 in summer—placing it one hour behind the surrounding Saskatchewan communities for half the year.
Farmers Want More Light in the Evening
When the legislation was announced on April 20, the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, said that his government proposed to stay on permanent DST to leave more light at the end of the day instead of the morning.
It was time to stop talking about it and to take some action to get it done.
Service Minister Dale Nally, April 20, 2026
cbc.caAccording to the Alberta Federation of Agriculture, most agricultural producers are in favor of permanent DST.
Cows, notorious for their inability to read clocks, are hungry when the sun rises. Farmers are left slowly adjusting feeding schedules twice a year during spring forward and fall back.
Aaron Stein, Executive Director of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture
cbc.caStein also says that the time changes are difficult on the body and don’t offer a lot of consistency, something that’s important when you’re an agricultural producer.
Push to End Clock Changes
Starting with Yukon in 2020, several Canadian provinces—including Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario—have introduced legislation or expressed support for ending seasonal clock changes in recent years.
In 2021, Alberta held a referendum on abolishing the biannual time change. The public vote narrowly favored retaining the system of twice-yearly clock adjustments. 50.2% voted to continue changing clocks twice a year.
On March 2, 2026, British Columbia (BC) announced it will stay on permanent DST. The province changed its clocks for the last time on March 8, 2026, and much of BC has remained on UTC−7 since then, with no return to standard time in November.
This decision isn‘t just about clocks. It’s about making life easier for families, reducing disruptions for businesses and supporting a stable, thriving economy. I am hopeful that our American neighbours will soon join us in ending disruptive time changes.
BC Premier David Eby
news.gov.bc.caThe Northwest Territories and Manitoba Might Follow
When the legislation was announced on April 20, Northwest Territories Premier R. J. Simpson said the territory also plans to end seasonal clock changes and adopt a year-round time system aligned with Alberta. The details are still to be decided.
On May 20, Manitoba, the province east of Saskatchewan, released a survey on DST , asking Manitobians if they also want to stop using the time change.
DST in Canada
Even with some Canadian regions opting out of clock changes, most people living in Canada will still set their clocks back one hour from 02:00 (2 am) to 01:00 (1 am) local time on November 1, 2026.
Summer time will resume on Sunday, March 14, 2027, for provinces and territories following DST.
Canada clock change in detailAs things stand, most of the United States will also begin DST on the same date.
History of DST
Germany and Austria were among the first countries to adopt DST nationally in 1916, but a Canadian city did it earlier: On July 1, 1908, Port Arthur, Ontario—today part of Thunder Bay—set clocks forward one hour, marking the world’s first DST period.
Frequently Asked DST Questions
What is DST?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward during part of the year to make better use of natural daylight. Changing the clocks does not create extra daylight, but it shifts civil time in relation to solar time. In other words, sunrise and sunset happen an hour later, on the clock, when DST is in effect.
Is Summer Time the Same as DST?
Saying “summer time” instead of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is common in many countries, especially in the United Kingdom. The term winter time is sometimes used instead of standard time, which is the official name for the period without DST.
Is DST bad for your health?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) can mess with our body clock and trigger underlying health issues. This time change can cause disruptions to our body clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm.