Canada's Timezones And Daylight Saving - What You Need To Know

Canada is one of the countries with the widest time zone coverage in the world, spanning six official time zones from Newfoundland in the east to Yukon in the west. In addition, Canada observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), which brings seasonal time changes throughout the year.

1. Canada’s Main Time Zones:

- Newfoundland Time (NT) – UTC -3:30

- Atlantic Time (AT) – UTC -4

- Eastern Time (ET) – UTC -5 (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal…)

- Central Time (CT) – UTC -6 (Winnipeg, most of Saskatchewan…)

- Mountain Time (MT) – UTC -7 (Calgary, Edmonton…)

- Pacific Time (PT) – UTC -8 (Vancouver, British Columbia)

2. Daylight Saving Time (DST) – Time Changes Twice a Year:

- Starts on the second Sunday in March – clocks are moved forward by 1 hour (e.g. 2:00 AM becomes 3:00 AM).

- Ends on the first Sunday in November – clocks are turned back 1 hour (e.g. 2:00 AM becomes 1:00 AM).

Note: Not all parts of Canada observe DST. Some areas, like most of Saskatchewan or parts of British Columbia, remain on standard time year-round.

Time changes can affect your class schedule, work hours, and virtual meetings, especially when coordinating with people in other provinces or countries.

If you’re new to Canada or moving between provinces, make sure to check your local time zone and DST rules to avoid confusion or being late. If you're planning to study, work, or live in Canada, being aware of time zone differences and DST will help you adjust more smoothly to your new environment.