As more Canadian provinces and territories move to permanent daylight saving time, the contrast with the United States grows sharper: 19 states have passed legislation to do the same, but none can act without congressional approval. The latest Canadian decisions, announced in September, reflect a growing North American push to end the twice-a-year clock change.
Manitoba and Northwest Territories act
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced in mid-September that the province would stop changing clocks, citing a survey of nearly 72,000 residents. “We heard from Manitobans loud and clear – no more changing the clocks in Manitoba,” Kinew said. Of those surveyed, 92% wanted an end to seasonal time changes, with 58% preferring permanent daylight saving time.
A report from Manitoba’s Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care department concluded that eliminating the clock switch “would be better for population health than maintaining the status quo.” That stance aligns with some U.S. health experts, though they often advocate for permanent standard time instead.
Days later, on September 23, officials in the Northwest Territories announced that more than 87% of over 3,500 residents surveyed wanted to stop changing clocks, with permanent daylight saving time as the preferred option.
British Columbia, Alberta, and others follow
British Columbia had already declared in March that it would make daylight saving time permanent, citing “recent actions from the U.S.” as a factor. Alberta followed suit over the summer. Yukon and most of Saskatchewan had previously abandoned the clock change. These moves mean that a significant portion of Canada will no longer “fall back” in November.
U.S. states remain stalled
In the United States, 19 states—including five that border Canada—have enacted laws calling for permanent daylight saving time. But they need Congress to act. States can already opt for year-round standard time, as Hawaii and most of Arizona have done, but permanent daylight saving time requires federal legislation.
The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act earlier this year, and President Donald Trump has expressed support. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, except for states that choose standard time. However, the Senate has not taken it up, and the outlook is dim.
Senate recess dims prospects
The Senate adjourned for the midterm election on Wednesday night and is not scheduled to return until the week of November 9. That means the Sunshine Protection Act likely won’t pass before the clocks change on November 1—the earliest possible date for the end of daylight saving time.
Even before the recess, the bill faced uncertain prospects in the Senate, with opposition centered on concerns about school safety and health, as some senators have cited. Lawmakers may revisit the bill when they return, but for now, Americans will continue to set clocks back while many Canadians do not.
What it means
The divergence highlights a key political difference: Canada’s provinces can act unilaterally, while U.S. states are bound by federal law. For Canadians, the change means more evening daylight in winter months, a move supporters say improves well-being and aligns with natural rhythms. Critics, however, worry about darker mornings, especially for schoolchildren.
As the U.S. waits, the potential impact of permanent daylight saving time remains a topic of debate. Meanwhile, more Canadian provinces are locking their clocks, and the pressure on Congress may grow.
