How Ontario could join Manitoba in ditching Daylight Saving Time

Residents in Manitoba will no longer need to remember to "spring forward" or "fall back," as their provincial government has decided to remain on daylight saving time (DST) permanently. 

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced the change on Thursday, meaning that residents across the province won't have to turn their clocks back on Nov. 1 this year. 

"We heard from Manitobans loud and clear – no more changing the clocks in Manitoba," Kinew said in a press release.

"Permanent daylight saving time is good for our health, good for business and good for parents. For families, especially those with young kids, that one-hour shift can disrupt sleep and routines for days. This change means one less adjustment families have to deal with each spring and fall. That's why this November, your clocks won't be changing." 

Back in May, the province asked residents for their views on the issue and received nearly 72,000 votes. According to the Manitoba government, 92 per cent of respondents said they wanted to end the seasonal time change. In comparison, 58 per cent favoured staying on daylight saving time year-round and 34 per cent preferred to eliminate the time change but stay on standard time. 

Manitoba now joins several other provinces and territories that have adopted or are committed to establishing permanent time, including B.C., Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. 

So, with another province now scrapping the twice-a-year ritual, what would it actually take for Ontario to do the same? The answer is not so straightforward.

While Ontario officials have also expressed a desire to end the practice, Premier Doug Ford has stressed that any legislative changes would depend on other jurisdictions getting rid of the ritual. 

In 2020, Ontario passed Bill 214, which would allow the province to eliminate the twice-yearly clock change if New York State and Quebec do the same. 

Back in July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in a 308 to 117 vote. The legislation, which was approved with support from both parties, would end the practice of Americans adjusting their clocks twice a year by putting the U.S. on permanent daylight saving time. 

Florida Republican Senator Vern Buchanan, who introduced the bill, argued that the clock changes disrupt schedules for "no good reason." Along with Buchanan, supporters of permanent daylight saving time cite fewer disruptions to sleep patterns, school schedules, and daily routines, as well as more time for leisure and outdoor activities. 

However, opponents argue that permanent daylight saving time could lead to darker winter mornings and create more hazardous conditions for drivers. 

This bill is now awaiting action in the U.S. Senate, which returned from its five-week recess on Monday. Its future remains uncertain, and lawmakers continue to be divided on whether or not it will be voted on in time to take effect ahead of the clock change on Nov. 1. 

While the bill is currently not on the Senate agenda, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged senators to act. The Senate is scheduled to leave Washington, D.C. again on Oct. 5, and will remain out of session through Nov. 6, meaning the timeline for any changes is getting increasingly tight.

For now, this means that Ontario's clocks are still scheduled to "fall back" this upcoming season.

Daylight saving time will officially end on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. and at that point,  clocks will be turned back one hour, giving us one extra hour of precious sleep but bringing earlier sunsets throughout the winter months in return.