Background on Daylight Saving Time
The daylight saving time change was established during World War I to save electricity. This practice has continued in various forms across many regions, including Quebec, Canada.
Upcoming Change in 2026
On the night of March 7 to 8, 2026, Quebec will lose one hour of sleep as the clocks move forward at 2 AM, returning to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). This change means that the sun will set later, just before 7 PM, and rise later, just before 8:30 AM.
It is important to note that not all of Quebec participates in the time change; for instance, Basse-Côte-Nord remains on Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4) year-round.
Public Sentiment and Future Changes
Officials and observers have expressed concerns about the impact of changing the clocks twice a year. David Eby, a prominent figure in British Columbia, stated, “Lorsque nous changeons l’heure deux fois par an, cela crée toutes sortes de problèmes.” This reflects a growing unease about the practice.
Quebec’s time change will occur again on the night of October 31 to November 1, 2026, continuing the tradition of shifting time twice a year.
As the date approaches, residents are reminded, “N’oubliez pas d’ajuster vos horloges et vos montres : le Québec perdra une heure de sommeil dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche à cause du changement d’heure d’été.” This highlights the need for awareness as the time change draws near.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the daylight saving time policy in Quebec or other regions in Canada.
