The Great Fall Back: Unpacking Daylight Saving Time's Annual Retreat

As the vibrant hues of autumn settle across the landscape, a familiar ritual approaches, promising an extra hour of precious sleep for many. It's time to prepare for the annual "fall back" as Daylight Saving Time (DST) draws to a close.

Mark your calendars: on the first Sunday of November, clocks across most of Canada will turn back by one hour.

This year, that moment arrives at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 5th. For those who enjoy an early sunrise or simply crave a little more rest, this shift brings a welcome reprieve. While an extra hour in bed is often celebrated, the end of DST also means earlier sunsets, signalling the deeper arrival of winter's shorter days.

The tradition of adjusting our clocks twice a year has a surprisingly rich and debated history.

While many credit Benjamin Franklin with the initial concept, the modern push for Daylight Saving Time began with British builder William Willett in 1907. He observed the wasted daylight hours in the summer mornings and advocated for shifting clocks forward to make better use of natural light. Canada, however, beat much of the world to the punch, with Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of Thunder Bay), being the first municipality globally to adopt DST in 1908.

It wasn't until 1918 that the practice became standardized across Canada, primarily as a wartime measure to conserve energy and boost production during World War I.

Originally conceived to save coal, allow more daylight for farming, and extend productive hours, the contemporary relevance of DST is a subject of fervent discussion.

The debate over whether to continue this century-old practice, abolish it, or even make it permanent, continues to spark passionate arguments from various quarters.

Many jurisdictions, including Ontario, have explored the possibility of making Daylight Saving Time permanent. In 2020, Ontario passed Bill 214, the Time Amendment Act, which would cement DST year-round.

However, this legislative change comes with a significant caveat: it will only take effect if the neighbouring province of Quebec and the U.S. state of New York also make the permanent switch. The underlying rationale is to avoid creating a confusing patchwork of time zones along crucial economic corridors and borders.

Advocates for permanent DST often cite potential health benefits, suggesting that a consistent schedule could reduce the disruptions associated with biannual clock changes.

They also point to economic advantages, such as increased retail activity and tourism during extended evening daylight hours. Conversely, opponents, or those who favour a return to permanent standard time, raise concerns about exceptionally dark winter mornings, particularly for commuters and schoolchildren, arguing it could impact safety and well-being.

While the debate rages on, most of Canada continues to observe the "spring forward, fall back" ritual.

Notable exceptions include Saskatchewan, which has not observed DST since 1966, maintaining Central Standard Time year-round. Additionally, Yukon made the decision in 2020 to permanently adopt DST, effectively staying on Pacific Daylight Time throughout the year. For the rest of us, the familiar mnemonic remains our guide: "spring forward" in March, and "fall back" as November approaches, granting us that fleeting, coveted extra hour of rest.