As winter draws to a close and the days begin to grow longer, it's time once again to prepare for the annual tradition of Daylight Saving Time.
At 2 am on Sunday, March 9th, Canadians will “spring forward,” losing an hour of sleep but gaining longer daylight hours—a welcome sign that brighter days are ahead.
As part of this time-honoured custom, the majority of Canadians will move their clocks forward by an hour, with the time change taking place at 2 am and clocks jumping ahead one hour to 3 am.
What Is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight saving time (DST) is the eight-month period between March and November when most Canadians set their clocks forward by one hour in the spring (“springing forward”) and back by one hour in the fall (“falling back”). This shift extends evening daylight in the warmer months and increases morning light in the winter.
However, not all regions in Canada observe DST. Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, and select areas in Quebec, Ontario, and BC remain on standard time year-round.
The time change will come to an end this year on November 2nd, and residents of affected areas will have to set their clocks back one hour, enjoying an hour of extra sleep.
To avoid being late for work or school on Monday morning, it's important to manually adjust any analog clocks and watches in your home before you go to bed on March 8th.
While digital and Wi-Fi connected devices should update automatically, it's always a good idea to double-check them the morning of March 9th, just to be safe.
As we set our clocks forward and get ready to embrace the arrival of spring, make sure you get some extra sleep this weekend as the Monday morning wake-up call is likely to be particularly harsh next week.
