Daylight Saving Time (DST) is implemented in several countries to optimise the sunlight available throughout the day. Daylight Saving in Canada in 2024 starts on 10th March and ends on 3rd November. However, how does it exactly work? Without any explanation, we would assume that DST creates issues in maintaining time and catching up to the changed schedule. But it is done so smoothly and efficiently that no significant issues are adapting to the updated timings. Learn more about Daylight Saving in Canada and its technicalities in the following sections!
What Is Daylight Savings Time?
The Earth has an axial tilt of 23.5 degrees from the plane of its orbit, which it maintains at the time of rotation and revolution around the sun. Because of this axial tilt, locations away from the equator and close to the poles experience significantly longer days in the summer and shorter ones in the winter. To combat this seasonal change, we implement the practice of Daylight Savings.
Daylight Saving Time, also known as DST, is resetting the clock one hour forward from the usual Standard Time sometime in the spring and back again to the Standard Time in the fall. It is observed in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe.
Daylight Saving In Canada: Historical Overview
Source: Immigration News Canada
Daylight Saving in Canada was first introduced over a century ago, on 1st July 1908 by Port Arthur, Ontario. Later, five Canadian cities – Regina, Brandon, Winnipeg, Halifax, and Hamilton – implemented it in the subsequent years. Then, in the 1960s, Daylight Saving in Canada was synced almost completely with that in the United States to ensure transparent economic situations and social interactions. This reason was considered while keeping in mind that Canada has a large uninhabitable region since it’s so close to the North Pole and almost 90% of its population lives in proximity to the US border.
Currently, the provinces that observe Daylight Saving in Canada are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia (excluding some eastern, northeastern, and southeastern regions)
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut (excluding Southampton Island)
- Ontario (excluding some northwestern regions)
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec (excluding eastern Quebec)
- Some parts in eastern and western Saskatchewan
- Premiers of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada
Daylight Saving In Canada: Current Situation
Although a large percentage of the population follows Daylight Saving in Canada, there are still a few provinces that practise a consistent Standard Time throughout the year. For instance, 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.
After Bill 214 of the Time Amendment Act was introduced in 2020, the Ontario government discussed ending the Daylight Saving practice in Canada. However, there won’t be any strict legislation added until both New York and Quebec agree to do so. Ultimately, the initiation was shelved as more than 50% of states voted against the bill.
Daylight Saving In Canada In 2024
Here’s how Daylight Saving in Canada will work in 2024:
- On 10th March 2024, Sunday, clocks at 02:00:00 turned forward to 03:00:00. Because of this, sunrise and sunset were one hour later, which led to more light in the evening and less in the morning.
- On Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, the clocks at 02:00:00 will turn backwards to 01:00:00. Because of this, sunrise and sunset will be one hour earlier, leading to more sunlight in the morning and less in the evening.
Daylight Saving In Canada In 2025
Here’s how Daylight Saving in Canada will work in 2025:
- On 9th March 2025, Sunday, clocks at 02:00:00 turned forward to 03:00:00. Because of this, sunrise and sunset were one hour later, which led to more light in the evening and less in the morning.
- On Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, the clocks at 02:00:00 will turn backwards to 01:00:00. Because of this, sunrise and sunset will be one hour earlier, leading to more sunlight in the morning and less in the evening.
How Does Daylight Saving Affect Your Body?
Not many might be aware of this fact but this affects our mind and body more than one can think. One must really feel the effect when they are travelling from one place to another, changing time zones. Check some of the effects here:
#1 Sleep Schedules
Since an hour of the night is added or removed to modify the clock for Daylight Saving Time, the first and immediate difference is observed in the sleep schedule. Our bodies’ sleep rhythms and biological cycles are often set to the natural 24-hour cycle and everyday routines. Thus, a sudden change in time can significantly affect the sleep cycle.
#2 Social Jetlag
Source: Okoa Org Articles
Jet lag is caused by a mismatch between a person’s normal daily rhythms and a new time zone. But what is social jetlag? It is a misalignment of the body’s biological time, typically governed by the circadian cycle or by people themselves through work, school and other social events. For instance, because of the sudden change in time, a person might feel disoriented and easily confused every time. The simplest example is feeling hungry earlier in the day than usual until your body has completely adapted to the new time.
#3 Health
While a considerable increase in the risk of acute myocardial infarction has been observed in the first week around the Spring change, there aren’t enough cases studied yet that can help us reach a conclusive decision. Concerning mental health and behavioural changes, DST can influence seasonal depression for better or worse, depending on how people decide to utilise the extra time. However, an increase of 11% was found in episodes of unipolar depressive episodes during the fall transition.
Best Ways To Adapt To Daylight Savings
While it is fairly simple to adapt to Daylight Saving in Canada, people who follow very strict routines and have a natural bodily rhythm might find it difficult to adjust to Daylight Saving in Canada. Since there are two changes in the clock throughout the year, your circadian rhythm might suffer. Here are the best ways to help your body adapt to the DST.
#1 Adjust Your Sleep Time
Source: Live Strong
Because one hour is added/removed from the day during DST, your body may find it tough to adjust to the new duration of the night. For instance, someone accustomed to 8 hours of sleep might wake up an hour early in November after the clock is changed. To tackle this, you can set your sleep time and go to bed accordingly. Follow the regular methods of falling asleep faster – No caffeine, no excessive screentime before bed, listening to soothing music, etc. A well-adjusted sleep can help you overcome Daylight Saving in Canada quite easily.
#2 Utilise The Extra Sunlight
The core idea of Daylight Saving in Canada is to optimise the limited amount of sunlight available and make sure that maximum light is available for Canadian residents. Thus, it is essential to utilise this extra hour of sunlight to the maximum and engage in active exercises, energising activities and routines that will help you feel rejuvenated. One big cause behind Daylight Saving Time is to avoid the seasonal depression or anxiety experienced by a large population during winter or darker seasons.
FAQs
Q1. Is Canada getting rid of Daylight Savings Time?
Ans: Although the proposition to scrape Daylight Saving in Canada was put forth in 2020, it was voted against by a majority of the states and thus, no conclusion was determined. Currently, Canada continues to practise Daylight Saving.
Q2. Is Canada the only place that does Daylight Savings?
Ans: Along with Canada, Daylight Savings are also observed in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, several parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Q3. How many clocks are there in Canada?
Ans: There are a total of six time zones in Canada. Most of the country’s major regions follow the standard time from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March.
Q4. Does Canada use 12 hours or 24 hours?
Ans: Canada follows a 24-hour clock to avoid confusion and ambiguity.
Q5. Why is there no time change in India?
Ans: Countries like India do not need to observe practices similar to Daylight Savings as they are situated close to the equator and do not experience extreme variations in the sunlight hours.
Thank you for reading our guide to Daylight Saving in Canada! Do you think DST is helpful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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