Clocks ‘spring’ for the last time in B.C.

Sunday, March 8, 2026 will be the last time British Columbians see their clocks ‘spring’ forward an hour as B.C. adopts permanent daylight-saving time (DST) and says goodbye to twice a year time change.

British Columbian clocks will move ahead an hour for the last time on March 8, beginning the transition to a shared year-round daylight-saving time which will be completed on November 1, when clocks cease to fall back. This will effectively bring many communities in eastern British Columbia who currently observe some kind of mountain time instead of pacific time, into better alignment with the rest of the province according to the release.

The government has stated that the removal time changes twice a year will reduce disruptions for families, help simplify scheduling while providing an extra hour of light during winter months.

“Every parent knows that changing clocks twice a year causes a significant amount of chaos on already busy lives. British Columbians have been clear that seasonal time changes do not work for them,” said Premier David Eby. “This decision isn’t just about clocks. It’s about making life easier for families, reducing disruptions for businesses and supporting a stable, thriving economy. I am hopeful that our American neighbours will soon join us in ending disruptive time changes.”

For communities in northeastern B.C. including Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Taylor, Chetwynd, and Tumbler Ridge who already observe Mountain Standard Time year-round, this change will just bring the rest of the province in line with the Peace Region.

Between the months of November through March annually, the shared Pacific time will align with Alberta and regions which observe mountain standard time. Pacific time will also align with Washington, California, Oregon and multiple other Pacific daylight time jurisdictions.

“We have heard the overwhelming majority of people in B.C. who want to end the back-and-forth of seasonal time changes,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “This shift offers more stability, supports public well-being and reduces twice-yearly, unnecessary disruptions to the routines of parents, shift workers, small businesses, pet owners and so many more. I look forward to all of us enjoying an extra hour of sunlight after work and school for many winters to come.”

For residents in southeastern British Columbia, including the East Kootenay and Golden regions, time will remain aligned with Alberta and will continue to switch between UTC-7 in the winter and UTC-6 in the summer, according to the release.

Communities following that system include Cranbrook, Golden, Fernie, Invermere, Sparwood, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs and Elkford. Local governments in B.C. retain the authority to determine which time zone they observe.