This weekend Canada switches to winter time

On the night of November 2nd, Canadians will need to turn their clocks back one hour. Learn about regional differences and tips for adjusting.

This Sunday, November 2nd, at 2:00 AM, Canada will switch to standard time. To wake up on the new time, set your clocks back one hour on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. Most modern devices—smartphones, tablets, computers—do this automatically.

History and Attitudes Toward Time Changes in Canada

The fall time change theoretically gives us an extra hour of sleep, but many Canadians note that it reduces the amount of time spent outdoors. Petitions to abolish time changes appear regularly, as many find them inconvenient and outdated. The first city in Canada to change its clocks was Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 1908. Today, about 40% of countries worldwide follow this practice, including most of North America and Europe.

Regional Differences in Time Changes

Not all regions of Canada observe the time change. For example, the Peace River region in British Columbia (including Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, and Tumbler Ridge) operates on Mountain Time and doesn't change clocks. Since 2020, Yukon has stopped seasonal changes and stays on permanent time year-round. Most of Saskatchewan also doesn't change clocks and remains on Central Standard Time all year.

Time Zones and Differences with Other Countries

After switching to standard time, the time difference will be:

Toronto and Moscow: 8 hours (12:00 PM in Toronto = 8:00 PM in Moscow)
Toronto and Kyiv: 7 hours (12:00 PM in Toronto = 7:00 PM in Kyiv)
Toronto and Astana: 11 hours (12:00 PM in Toronto = 11:00 PM in Astana)

Health Effects of Time Changes

Even a slight schedule change can disrupt your body's circadian rhythms. Studies from 2024-2025 confirm the negative impact of time changes on health. In the first few days, you may experience:

Sleep problems
Reduced concentration
Fatigue
Mood swings
Changes in appetite

Research shows that during the spring switch to daylight saving time, the risk of heart attacks increases by 24% in the first days after the time change. A 2025 Stanford University study found that permanent standard time could prevent approximately 300,000 strokes per year. Full adaptation can take anywhere from a few days to a week.

How Time Changes Affect Pets

Your cats and dogs feel the time change too! Animals have their own biological clocks that tell them when it's time to eat, sleep, and play. When you change the clocks, pets don't understand why their owners are suddenly acting strange.

Dogs and cats may:

Wake you up an hour early or demand food at unusual times
Act restless when you come home in the dark
Experience stress from changes to their routine

Interesting Facts About Time Changes

Benjamin Franklin didn't invent daylight saving time—in 1784, he wrote a satirical article jokingly suggesting Parisians wake up earlier to save on candles
The 2:00 AM time change wasn't chosen randomly—in the early 20th century, trains didn't run at that hour, so changing schedules caused minimal disruption
The first person to propose daylight saving time was New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895—he wanted more after-work time to study insects
In 2021, Alberta held a referendum on time changes, and just over half of voters wanted to keep the current system

Tips for Adjusting to the New Time

Here are some simple tips to help you transition more easily:

Before the Time Change

Go to bed 15-20 minutes later for a few days before the change
Shift your meal times gradually

On the Day of the Time Change

Stick to your usual routine
Spend more time outdoors
Avoid napping during the day
Limit caffeine intake

After the Time Change

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
Create good sleep conditions: quiet, dark, and cool
Exercise in the morning
Get plenty of natural light
Be extra careful when driving in the first few days—accidents increase during darker hours

Source

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