Ontario residents will spring forward an hour next month as Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m. Those with manual clocks should set them one hour ahead before heading to bed on Saturday night.
Clocks on smartphones and other network-connected devices will update automatically, ensuring a seamless transition for most.
Most of Canada, including Ontario, follows the twice-yearly clock change, adjusting forward in spring and back in fall. However, some regions, including Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, and parts of British Columbia and Quebec, remain on standard time year-round.
Ontario passed a 2020 bill to make daylight saving time permanent, but the change is on hold until Quebec and New York State also adopt the measure—something neither has committed to yet.
While many enjoy the longer daylight hours, research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that the shift can cause increased stress, disrupted sleep patterns, and even a temporary rise in car accidents.
To ease into the time change, experts recommend:
✔ Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before and after the switch
✔ Getting plenty of exercise and sunlight to help your body adjust
✔ Gradually shifting bedtime earlier in the days leading up to DST
Many fire departments encourage residents to use the time change as a reminder to replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries to keep homes safe.
Despite the preparation, many will still feel groggy adjusting to the lost hour of sleep—but longer evenings are just around the corner!