Ontario premier says province could drop seasonal clock changes if neighboring regions agree
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Doug Ford says Ontario could scrap the twice-yearly clock change, but only if Quebec and nearby U.S. regions like New York join in — a practical reminder that common sense still depends on regional coordination and economic reality.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park that the province would consider ending seasonal time changes if Quebec and adjacent U.S. jurisdictions, such as New York, moved to a year-round system. He said alignment with Quebec and New York matters because Ontario’s economy is tied to theirs, especially in the financial sector, and businesses need consistency instead of needless disruption.
"We have to be in line with Quebec and along the lines of New York for the financial sector. It just makes life easier," Ford said.
Ford added that a consensus with Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is needed, noting that Ottawa also shares a border with Quebec. Plamondon has indicated his government intends to abolish the time change but has not yet chosen between permanent daylight or standard time.
The premier pointed to recent moves in Western Canada, where Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba have adopted permanent daylight-saving time, saying the shift would reduce time differences with Ontario. The example shows that provinces willing to act decisively can make life simpler for families, workers and businesses instead of preserving an old-fashioned system that many regions are already leaving behind.
"Manitoba and Western Canada, the reason they did it, they want to get closer to our time frame. They don’t want to be three hours behind," Ford said.