Daylight saving time is the period between March and November where the time is set forward by one hour to extend evening daylight, a practice that affects the daily routine of millions, and is observed across nine provinces and two territories, although there are some exceptions in parts of these areas and in Nunavut.

This year, the process will start on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. local time, and daylight saving time ends in November, when the clock is set back by one hour.

The debate over saving daylight

Daylight saving time was introduced to save electricity during wartime, and it now primarily serves to extend our evening activities under the pretext of sunlight, and the semi-annual time change has not been free from criticism, with many questioning its current relevance and the sleep disruption it causes.

Despite the growing disdain for the tradition of changing the clock, efforts to repeal it have remained in legislative deadlock, and while some provinces, such as Quebec and Ontario, are considering making daylight saving time permanent, the decision depends on regional consensus and legislative approval.

In 2020, the province of Quebec passed a law to stop changing the clocks and keep daylight saving time year-round, but this can only happen if Quebec and New York decide to do the same, and since receiving official green light in 2020, there has been no movement, similarly, Ontario Bill 214, which would make daylight saving time permanent, is stalled, pending Quebec and New York adopting this change.