Quebecers may be turning their clocks back for the last time this weekend, as the provincial government prepares to put an end to the province’s twice-yearly time changes.
Credit: Lucas Photo
In a social media post on Wednesday, October 28, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said this weekend will “very likely” mark the final occasion when Quebecers have to adjust their clocks.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has opposed the practice for some time, and St-Pierre Plamondon reiterated that his party has “taken a stand several times” on the issue.
He cited studies suggesting that changing the clocks twice a year is “counterproductive for health and poses adaptation challenges for children.”
However, ending the practice involves another decision: Should Quebec permanently adopt daylight saving time or standard time?
St-Pierre Plamondon said his government intends to “act properly and intelligently” by consulting “all the specialists” over the coming months through a parliamentary committee.
Samedi il s’agit fort probablement de la dernière fois qu’on recule l’heure au Québec.
Dans les dernières années, le Parti Québécois a pris position à plusieurs reprises pour remettre en question le changement d’heure. Les études démontrent que cette pratique est contre-productive pour la santé et qu’elle posait des difficultés d’adaptation aux enfants.
Notre intention est d’agir correctement et intelligemment : nous allons donc entendre tous les spécialistes pour valider ce qui semble être un consensus selon lequel cette pratique est contre-productive, mais également pour être certain de bien préparer le terrain et de bien déterminer s’il serait préférable d’opter pour l’heure d’été ou pour l’heure normale. Ces consultations débuteront dans les prochains mois, ce qui nous permettra d’entendre les experts dans une courte commission parlementaire.
Chers parents qui en ont pour plusieurs semaines à gérer la réaction de leurs enfants à ce changement d’heure, ceci est probablement la dernière année durant laquelle nous nous imposons de telles contraintes inutiles. Nous invitons la population à suivre de près nos travaux.
— Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (@PaulPlamondon) October 28, 2026
The consultations will help determine which time Quebec should follow throughout the year.
The choice would have a noticeable effect on when Quebecers see daylight, particularly during summer.
If Quebec adopts permanent daylight saving time, Montreal could see sunrise around 8:30 a.m. in late December, compared with 7:30 a.m. under standard time. That would mean darker winter mornings, particularly for children heading to school and people commuting to work, but an extra hour of daylight in the evening.
On the other hand, permanent standard time would mean earlier sunrises and sunsets during summer. In late June, Montreal could see the sun rising around 4 a.m. and setting around 7:45 p.m., instead of approximately 5 a.m. and 8:45 p.m. under daylight saving time. That would leave less evening daylight for outdoor activities after work or school.
For now, nothing changes this weekend.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks will move back one hour to 1 a.m.
Quebecers will gain an extra hour overnight, but evenings will become darker earlier.
Whether they will have to move their clocks forward again next spring will depend on the government’s next steps.