Why Toronto Is Turning Back the Clocks This Weekend
It’s that time of year again — when most of Canada prepares to “fall back” as Daylight Saving Time officially ends. On Sunday, November 2, at exactly 2 a.m., clocks will be turned back by one hour to 1 a.m. This means one extra hour of sleep for many — though it might come with a few side effects.
Now, even though our smartphones and computers will automatically adjust, those old-school wall clocks, wristwatches, and kitchen appliances will need to be manually set back. The change means sunrise and sunset will happen about an hour earlier, bringing brighter mornings but darker evenings. For many Torontonians, that extra morning light might be a welcome change — but it also marks the beginning of shorter, chillier days ahead.
So, why do we even do this? Daylight Saving Time was originally designed to make better use of natural light — shifting the clocks forward in spring and back in fall to extend daylight hours in the evenings during warmer months. The idea was to save energy and give people more daylight after work. But the practice, which began more than a century ago, continues to spark debate today.
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Not every part of Canada still observes it. Most of Saskatchewan and all of Yukon have opted out completely, while certain regions in British Columbia, Quebec, and northwestern Ontario keep their clocks steady year-round. In fact, Ontario’s government voted back in 2020 to make Daylight Saving Time permanent — but that plan is on hold until Quebec and New York agree to make the same move. Since that hasn’t happened yet, the twice-a-year clock change continues for now.
But it’s not just about time — this shift can actually affect your health. Our bodies rely on a natural rhythm called the circadian cycle, which is guided by sunlight. When the clocks change, our exposure to daylight also changes, and that can throw off our internal clock. Experts say it can lead to poor sleep, increased stress, and even fluctuations in blood pressure or metabolism. Some studies have even linked time changes to short-term increases in road accidents and fatigue.
People with seasonal affective disorder — a type of depression linked to shorter days and reduced sunlight — often find this time of year particularly challenging. And shift workers or those already running on little sleep may struggle more to adjust.
To make the transition easier, sleep experts suggest gradually adjusting your bedtime by 15 to 20 minutes in the days leading up to the change. Getting outside in the morning light can also help reset your body clock and boost alertness.
So as the clocks fall back this weekend, it’s not just about remembering to change the time — it’s about giving your body a little time to adjust, too.
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