Ottawa councillors ask Ontario to end twice-yearly clock changes, with debate set for Nov. 27
Councillor Shawn Menard introduced a motion asking Ottawa City Council to write to Ontario and local MPPs to end the semi-annual time change. The newly elected council debates it at its first meeting on November 27.
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Two Ottawa City councillors have tabled a motion asking the city to write to the Ontario government to end the twice-yearly clock change, CTV Ottawa reported on November 12.
Councillor Shawn Menard introduced the motion at Thursday's council meeting. It was seconded by Councillor Marty Carr. The motion calls on the City to write to the Ontario government and to local MPPs to "encourage them to support the elimination of twice-year time changes throughout Ontario," CTV reports.
Why the motion was introduced
The motion was prompted by a statement from Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. CTV Ottawa reports that the premier said on social media two weeks ago that November 1 may have been the last time Quebecers changed their clocks. Plamondon said the Quebec government would consult "all the specialists" to decide whether the province will stay on daylight time or standard time year-round.
If Quebec stops changing its clocks and Ontario does not, the two sides of the national capital region would be in different time zones. CTV reports that Menard cited concerns about "significant impacts" for residents of the Ottawa-Gatineau area, "many of whom regularly cross the provincial border between Ontario and Quebec, if changes are implemented on the Gatineau side and not the Ontario side."
Ottawa and Gatineau are closely linked. Many residents of one city work, shop and travel regularly in the other. A permanent one-hour difference between the two cities would affect daily schedules and cross-border routines for people on both sides.
Other provinces have already acted
CTV Ottawa reports that British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba have already ended the annual practice of switching between daylight saving time and standard time. Ontario has not.
The decision on whether to change clocks is a provincial matter, not a municipal one, so the motion asks Ottawa to advocate to the Ontario government rather than act directly.
What comes next
The newly elected Ottawa City Council holds its first meeting on November 27, 2026, CTV reports. That is when the motion will be debated.
Residents who want to follow the meeting can find the agenda when it is posted at pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com, the City's public meetings calendar. The November 27 meeting is the first full session of the council that took office on November 15.
Questions this story answers
What does the Ottawa time change motion ask for?
CTV Ottawa reports that the motion, introduced by Councillor Shawn Menard and seconded by Councillor Marty Carr, calls on the City of Ottawa to write to the Ontario government and to local MPPs to 'encourage them to support the elimination of twice-year time changes throughout Ontario.' The motion asks Ottawa to advocate to the province, not to change the clocks itself, which is a provincial decision.
Why did the councillors introduce this motion now?
CTV Ottawa reports that the motion was prompted by a statement from Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who said on social media that November 1 may have been the last time Quebecers changed their clocks. The premier said the government would consult specialists to decide whether Quebec will remain on daylight time or standard time year-round. If Quebec acts and Ontario does not, the two parts of the national capital region would be on different times.
Who introduced the motion and who seconded it?
CTV Ottawa reports that Councillor Shawn Menard introduced the motion and Councillor Marty Carr seconded it. Menard represents Capital Ward, which covers the Centretown area of Ottawa. Carr represents Alta Vista Ward, in the east end of the city.
When will Ottawa City Council vote on the motion?
CTV Ottawa reports that the newly elected council will debate the motion at its first meeting on November 27, 2026. The City's public meetings calendar at pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com will show the agenda when it is posted. The motion was tabled at the outgoing council's Thursday, November 12 meeting.
Have other provinces ended the clock change?
CTV Ottawa reports that British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba have already stopped the annual practice of switching between daylight saving time and standard time. Ontario has not. If Quebec joins those provinces, the Ottawa-Gatineau region would have two different times, one in Ontario and one in Quebec.
What impact would different time zones have on Ottawa-Gatineau residents?
CTV Ottawa reports that Councillor Menard cited concerns about 'significant impacts' to residents of the national capital region, 'many of whom regularly cross the provincial border between Ontario and Quebec, if changes are implemented on the Gatineau side and not the Ontario side.' Ottawa and Gatineau function as a connected urban area, with many people commuting between the two provinces daily.
Can Ottawa change the clocks on its own?
No. The timing of clock changes is a provincial matter under the Time Act and related legislation, not a municipal one. Ottawa's motion asks the City to write to the Ontario government and to local MPPs to advocate for the change at the provincial level, where the decision sits.
Where can I follow the November 27 council meeting?
Ottawa City Council meetings are listed on the City's public meetings site at pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com. The agenda for the November 27 meeting will be posted there before the meeting. The City's online stream of council meetings is available from that site as well.
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