We're about to set clocks back, but why hasn't Nova Scotia adopted a permanent daylight saving time?
Several provinces and territories have opted to forgo the twice annual time changes, with Alberta officially passing legislation for permanent daylight saving time this past June
Author of the article:Josh Healey
Published Oct 27, 2026 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 3 minute read
A ferry passes by in the background in this photo of the Halifax Town Clock on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1.
A ferry passes by in the background in this photo of the Halifax Town Clock on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle Herald
It’s that time of year again: clocks in Nova Scotia will “fall back” an hour on Nov. 1.
Most are momentarily happy for the fall time change as it means people get an extra hour of sleep. But it comes with dark, early evenings and the inevitable “spring forward,” which can be jarring to commuters forced to rise an hour earlier to claw back evening light.
It’s no surprise then that daylight saving time continues to be debated across Canada as some provinces and territories, particularly out west, ditch clock changes for a permanent schedule.
So, will Nova Scotia follow suit?
How did daylight saving time start?
Canada introduced daylight saving time during the First World War as a wartime measure to increase production at home. The idea was to extend daylight from mornings to evenings during a certain period of the year.
However, it only became a fixture after the Second World War, with official time zones and daylight saving time falling under provincial and territorial regulation in 1987.
On Nov. 1, when the clock hits 2 a.m. in Nova Scotia, it’ll fall back to 1 a.m. But on Mar. 17, 2027, the clock will jump ahead, creating more daylight in the evenings.
Why are provinces and territories ditching time changes?
Several provinces and territories have opted to forgo the twice annual time changes, with Alberta officially passing legislation for permanent daylight saving time in June. This means it will be permanently sprung forward.
It joins governments in British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Manitoba and parts of northern Ontario in remaining on a permanent time versus jumping back and forth.
Most jurisdictions cite health or business reasons for permanent moves.
clock change
“Permanent daylight saving time is good for our health, good for business and good for parents,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said earlier this year.
Other areas, like Northern Ontario, have followed suit for their relationships with neighbouring provinces.
“By keeping 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,” said Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey in early October.
Nova Scotia will go where Atlantic Canada goes
It’s not the first time there’s been chatter about Nova Scotia ditching biannual clock changes.
Premier Tim Houston flirted with the idea, adding that he’d be open to it should New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador be on board. When contacted if a change could still be on the table, a spokesperson for the province confirmed the premier is listening.
“We’re aware of the national discussions on daylight saving time,” said Monica MacLean, communications director for the executive council office.
“For Nova Scotia, a time change would involve a regional approach with the other Atlantic and Central Canadian provinces. We look forward to continuing the informal discussions with Atlantic Canadian colleagues.”
Support across party lines
Others in government, including Iain Rankin, former Nova Scotia premier and the current MLA for Timberlea-Prospect, support permanent daylight saving time.
Rankin previously put forward legislation to make a change.
“I continue to support making daylight saving time permanent in Nova Scotia,” Rankin told The Chronicle Herald. “Ending the twice-yearly clock change would provide more consistency for families, workers and businesses, while reducing disruptions to sleep, mental health, and daily routines.
“I’ve introduced legislation on this issue several times, and as other provinces move towards permanent daylight saving time, Nova Scotia should be looking to do the same.”
torontosun.com
Several provinces and territories have opted to forgo the twice annual time changes, with Alberta officially passing legislation for permanent daylight saving time this past June
Author of the article:Josh Healey
Published Oct 27, 2026 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 3 minute read
A ferry passes by in the background in this photo of the Halifax Town Clock on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1.
A ferry passes by in the background in this photo of the Halifax Town Clock on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle Herald
It’s that time of year again: clocks in Nova Scotia will “fall back” an hour on Nov. 1.
Most are momentarily happy for the fall time change as it means people get an extra hour of sleep. But it comes with dark, early evenings and the inevitable “spring forward,” which can be jarring to commuters forced to rise an hour earlier to claw back evening light.
It’s no surprise then that daylight saving time continues to be debated across Canada as some provinces and territories, particularly out west, ditch clock changes for a permanent schedule.
So, will Nova Scotia follow suit?
How did daylight saving time start?
Canada introduced daylight saving time during the First World War as a wartime measure to increase production at home. The idea was to extend daylight from mornings to evenings during a certain period of the year.
However, it only became a fixture after the Second World War, with official time zones and daylight saving time falling under provincial and territorial regulation in 1987.
On Nov. 1, when the clock hits 2 a.m. in Nova Scotia, it’ll fall back to 1 a.m. But on Mar. 17, 2027, the clock will jump ahead, creating more daylight in the evenings.
Why are provinces and territories ditching time changes?
Several provinces and territories have opted to forgo the twice annual time changes, with Alberta officially passing legislation for permanent daylight saving time in June. This means it will be permanently sprung forward.
It joins governments in British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Manitoba and parts of northern Ontario in remaining on a permanent time versus jumping back and forth.
Most jurisdictions cite health or business reasons for permanent moves.
clock change
“Permanent daylight saving time is good for our health, good for business and good for parents,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said earlier this year.
Other areas, like Northern Ontario, have followed suit for their relationships with neighbouring provinces.
“By keeping 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,” said Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey in early October.
Nova Scotia will go where Atlantic Canada goes
It’s not the first time there’s been chatter about Nova Scotia ditching biannual clock changes.
Premier Tim Houston flirted with the idea, adding that he’d be open to it should New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador be on board. When contacted if a change could still be on the table, a spokesperson for the province confirmed the premier is listening.
“We’re aware of the national discussions on daylight saving time,” said Monica MacLean, communications director for the executive council office.
“For Nova Scotia, a time change would involve a regional approach with the other Atlantic and Central Canadian provinces. We look forward to continuing the informal discussions with Atlantic Canadian colleagues.”
Support across party lines
Others in government, including Iain Rankin, former Nova Scotia premier and the current MLA for Timberlea-Prospect, support permanent daylight saving time.
Rankin previously put forward legislation to make a change.
“I continue to support making daylight saving time permanent in Nova Scotia,” Rankin told The Chronicle Herald. “Ending the twice-yearly clock change would provide more consistency for families, workers and businesses, while reducing disruptions to sleep, mental health, and daily routines.
“I’ve introduced legislation on this issue several times, and as other provinces move towards permanent daylight saving time, Nova Scotia should be looking to do the same.”
We're about to set clocks back, but why hasn't Nova Scotia adopted a permanent daylight saving time?
It's that time of year again: clocks in Nova Scotia will "fall back" an hour on Nov. 1. But for how much longer?
