Vancouver and BC’s New Time Zone
BC has moved to Permanent Daylight Saving Time with no “Fall Back” on November 1, 2026 as we shift into Pacific time (PCT) zone. This will make Vancouver one hour ahead of Seattle, and two hours behind Toronto. Pacific time operates at seven hours behind co-ordinated universal time (UTC-7), matching the current offset used during daylight saving time.
Daylight Saving Time started in March and while several timezones around the country will Fall Back when it ends November 1st, BC clocks won’t be budging. Our province has adopted permanent year-round daylight saving time / Pacific time (PCT) with the goal of improving people’s overall health, reduce disruptions for families, simplify scheduling and provide an extra hour of evening light during the winter months.
Vancouver and BC’s New Time Zone
I’ve heard from friends and colleagues who are just now realizing that their Toronto headquarters need to be aware that come November 1st (and until the spring again when they Spring Forward) those Eastern offices will only be two hours ahead of Vancouver. This includes consideration for federal government departments, Crown corporations, airports and other agencies who may begin to change shift times to stay in line with eastern time.
As of November 1, 2026 BC will be:
- Two hours behind most of Ontario
- One hour behind Alberta
- On the same time as Yukon
- One hour ahead of Washington state
- Two hours ahead of Alaska
Others I know in I.T. are being sure to check and plan around their automated systems so we don’t have a mini Y2K on our hands.
From the BC Chamber of Commerce: “For employers across BC, the announcement removes a persistent operational friction point. Businesses have long cited the biennial clock change as a source of scheduling disruption, workforce fatigue, and administrative burden, with costs that fall disproportionately on small businesses and shift-dependent industries.”
Locations Continuing to Use Mountain Time
Parts of northeastern and southeastern BC use a different time zone than the rest of the province. Local governments can determine what time zone they use. Those regions will continue using their current time zone. As a result of PCT, many of these communities will use the same time as the rest of British Columbia. Find specific information online from the Government of BC.
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