Ontario Moves Northwest Region to Permanent Daylight Time

Parts of northwestern Ontario will adopt permanent daylight time on Nov. 1, 2026, after the Ontario government approved a regulatory change to align communities west of the 90th meridian with Manitoba, Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford told The Canadian Press.

The decision affects areas in Ontario's central time zone and follows Manitoba's move to keep daylight time year-round. Communities in Ontario's eastern time zone, including Thunder Bay, will continue changing clocks twice a year, according to CBC News.

Rickford said the province consulted municipalities, businesses and First Nations across the northwest before selecting the permanent daylight time option. Surveys showed support ranging from 90 to 94 per cent, according to Rickford.

"That put northwestern Ontario, who sits in the central standard time zone, in a bit of a spot, to say the least," Rickford said.

Rickford said officials considered three options: moving the region to eastern time, continuing seasonal clock changes, or staying aligned with Manitoba's permanent daylight time system.

"The other option … we took by unanimous consensus, was to not change our clocks and to go to what I'm calling Wab Kinew time," Rickford said.

The minister said health organizations were among those consulted because time zone differences could affect medical scheduling and electronic records. He said the goal was to minimize disruptions for communities that commonly interact with Manitoba.

"On a practical side, an overwhelming majority of the people of northwestern Ontario sitting in the central standard time zone just thought it made more sense to go with Manitoba, because our transactions are more typically with them," Rickford told CBC News.

Rickford also described feedback from health entities during the consultation process and said they wanted a decision that reduced time zone complications.

"We heard from particularly health entities, who said 'look, whatever decision's made, it should involve the least amount of time zones possible, because there are electronic medical records, and their appointment planning either in Manitoba or Thunder Bay would be impacted by that," Rickford said. "And secondly, could we do that as quickly as possible so that they could begin those preparations?"

New Democrat Sol Mamakwa, who represents Kiiwetinoong and worked with northern communities during discussions, said the region's voices helped shape the decision.

"After having brought the voices of our communities across the northwest to the table, we are happy the advocacy to observe daylight savings will be implemented permanently," Mamakwa said in a statement.

Mamakwa said the change reflected collaboration between communities and decision-makers in the northwest.

"We are proud of our collaborative efforts to deliver what works for the North. We thank everyone who reached out and shared their thoughts on this important decision," Mamakwa said in a statement.

Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey said the change was intended to provide more certainty for affected communities while maintaining economic connections with Manitoba.

"Providing certainty and predictability is essential to supporting strong communities and a competitive economy," Downey said.

Downey said keeping the region aligned with Manitoba would avoid unnecessary disruptions for communities operating in the central time zone.

"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," Downey said.

The change follows similar moves by Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta toward permanent daylight time arrangements. Ontario's broader shift remains limited because province-wide adoption depends on conditions involving Quebec and New York State.