New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

New laws, regulations, and rules in Ontario will take effect in the coming months, including some to watch for this November.

From property tax relief programs to landmark decisions affecting daylight saving time in parts of the province, there are a handful of notable changes you should keep on your radar next month.

These are the new laws and rules coming to Ontario in November 2026.

Permanent daylight saving time in parts of the province

The Ontario government announced this past week that it intends to make daylight saving time permanent in Kenora, along with the northwestern regions of the province that have "historically been aligned with neighbouring Manitoba."

The changes will be implemented by Nov. 1, 2026, in an effort to avoid any disruptions to families, businesses and Indigenous communities in the province's central time zone.

The provincial government noted that the move came after extensive engagement with communities in northwestern Ontario, following Manitoba's decision to permanently move to daylight saving time.

Under the new regulation, select communities in northwestern Ontario that normally change their clocks twice a year would not need to "fall back" on Nov. 1.

The central time zone begins just west of the 90th meridian, a north-south line of longitude that crosses northwestern Ontario. Areas west of the 90th meridian would continue to share the same time as the remainder of the province during the winter. Communities located in the eastern time zone will continue to change their clocks twice a year.

Toronto property tax and utility relief programs

An important deadline is coming up for those who rely on the city's property tax and utility programs, which aim to reduce the financial pressure on vulnerable residents, such as low-income seniors and low-income individuals living with disabilities.

Toronto offers multiple programs aimed at alleviating these financial challenges and ensuring that property owners can continue to maintain their homes, including the  Property Tax Increase Deferral Program, Water Rebate Program, Solid Waste Rebate Program, and Property Tax Increase Cancellation Program.

Eligibility requirements vary by program and are based on a variety of factors, such as age, income, and disability status.

The deadline to apply for the city's 2026 property tax and utility relief programs falls on Monday, Nov. 2.

Vacant Home Tax period

If you're a homeowner in Toronto, there's a crucial declaration period you should be aware of.

Starting in early November, Toronto's online portal for residential property owners to submit their Vacant Home Tax (VHT) declarations typically opens up.

The tax aims to increase housing availability in the city by encouraging homeowners to rent or sell their properties that might otherwise sit vacant. Once open, declarations can typically be made on the city's tax portal until the end of April.

The tax applies to properties in Toronto that were "unoccupied for more than six months during the previous calendar year," unless the property is the owner's principal residence, is occupied by an eligible resident, or qualifies for an exemption.

The city lists several exemptions, including the death of the owner, long-term care or hospitalization, major renovations with permits, court orders restricting occupancy, or occupancy by a tenant or eligible family member.

Property owners who fail to submit a declaration may have their property deemed vacant and charged with the tax.