Canada: British Columbia ends biannual clock changes, adopts permanent daylight saving time
Babushhi Bureau
British Columbia (Canada), March 3, 2026: British Columbia will permanently observe daylight saving time starting this spring, Premier David Eby announced on Monday, bringing an end to the province’s long-standing practice of changing clocks twice a year.
The transition will begin this Sunday when clocks move forward by one hour. Unlike previous years, British Columbians will not set their clocks back in November, marking the conclusion of the biannual time shift.
In a statement, Eby said the change is aimed at simplifying daily life for families and minimizing disruptions for businesses. He noted that many residents have voiced frustration over the seasonal adjustments, citing impacts on routines, productivity and overall well-being.
The move follows legislation passed in 2019 that gave the provincial government authority to eliminate the twice-yearly time changes. A public consultation conducted that year found overwhelming support for adopting permanent daylight saving time, although many respondents suggested coordinating the shift with neighbouring jurisdictions.
At the time, then-premier John Horgan and Eby, who was serving as attorney general, indicated the province would wait to align with nearby regions to avoid time-zone inconsistencies affecting trade and travel.
However, U.S. Pacific coast states — including Washington, Oregon, and California — have not yet adopted permanent daylight time. As a result, British Columbia could be one hour ahead of those states for part of the year. The province’s time alignment with Alberta will also vary seasonally.
Eby expressed hope that American lawmakers would eventually move in the same direction, saying the end of seasonal clock changes would reduce confusion and support economic stability across the region.