Prepare for Daylight Time: Clocks Spring Forward March 8

As daylight time approaches, Canadians are reminded to set their clocks forward by one hour on Sunday, March 8, 2024, at 2 a.m. local time. This annual change aims to extend evening daylight during the spring and summer months. While many devices like smartphones will update automatically, those relying on traditional alarm clocks or wristwatches will need to adjust their time manually before heading to bed on Saturday, March 7.

The practice of changing the clocks occurs from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November, when time reverts to standard time, allowing for an extra hour of sleep. Most provinces and territories in Canada participate in this clock change, with notable exceptions including Yukon, much of Saskatchewan, and select areas of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut.

Calls for Ending Seasonal Time Changes

There is a growing movement to eliminate the biannual clock adjustments. A study conducted in 2025 identified potential health risks linked to seasonal time changes, including increased chances of obesity, stroke, and even heart attacks. The research highlighted that these shifts disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which governs various physiological functions such as digestion and hormone release.

According to Patricia Lakin-Thomas, a biology professor at York University, “When you move your social clock even by an hour, you’re putting yourself in a one-hour jet lag.” She emphasizes that maintaining a consistent time could improve public health overall.

In 2025, Marie-France Lalonde, a Liberal Member of Parliament, introduced a private member’s bill to end seasonal time changes. “I would like to bring in experts and sectors that are most impacted, and Canadians to come and speak on this practice,” Lalonde stated in a previous interview. Her goal is to foster a consensus on whether to discontinue the practice altogether.

Provincial Responses and Legislative Efforts

In 2020, Ontario passed legislation to remain permanently on daylight time, contingent on similar actions by neighboring Quebec and New York State. A public consultation in Quebec conducted in 2024 revealed substantial support for adopting year-round daylight time.

While U.S. states can opt for permanent standard time, federal law currently prohibits the establishment of permanent daylight time. This regulatory landscape complicates efforts to adopt a consistent time across borders.

As the clock change approaches, Canadians and lawmakers alike are weighing the potential impacts of daylight time on health, safety, and overall well-being. The conversation surrounding this biannual ritual continues, as the country assesses whether the benefits of extended daylight outweigh the drawbacks of disrupted sleep patterns.