Twice a year, Manitobans adjust their clocks. For some, it is a minor inconvenience. For others, it is a disruption to routines, schedules, and operations.
This year, Manitoba joined the growing number of provinces exploring whether these continued time changes serve the best interests of the province. As Manitoba’s voice of business, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce asked the business community to share their perspective: What impact does the current system have on Manitoba businesses, and what should the future look like?
A Business Community Divided
If there was one clear takeaway from our survey, it was this: Manitoba businesses are not united around a solution.
While a majority of respondents expressed support for moving to Permanent Daylight Time, businesses remain divided across all available options. Some see value in ending the twice-yearly clock changes altogether, while others prefer maintaining the current system or adopting Permanent Standard Time.
This lack of consensus reflects the complexity of the issue. What might benefit one business, industry, or region may create challenges for another.
The debate may be about one hour, but the impacts can last all year.
More Than Just an Hour
A slight majority of respondents reported that seasonal time changes do not significantly affect their day-to-day operations.
That said, nearly half of respondents indicated that the time changes create challenges for their organizations.
Among those businesses, the most cited concerns included:
- Employee fatigue and reduced productivity
- Scheduling disruptions
- Technology and system adjustments
- Family scheduling challenges for employees
- Workplace safety considerations
- Increased administrative burden
While these impacts may not be severe enough to dominate discussions, they are nonetheless real concerns for businesses across the province.
The Real Challenge: Staying Connected Across Canada
The most important finding was the importance businesses place on staying connected to our economic partners.
Nearly six in ten respondents reported that they regularly operate or communicate across time zones. Whether serving customers, coordinating supply chains, managing remote teams, or working with partners and clients across Canada, Manitoba businesses are deeply connected to other jurisdictions.
Respondents consistently highlighted Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta as key partners in their day-to-day operations.
As a result, many businesses emphasized that any decision about Manitoba’s long-term approach to timekeeping should consider alignment with neighbouring provinces and major trading partners to remain synchronized with the people and markets that drive economic activity.
Evening Light Wins the Popular Vote
One area where respondents were more aligned was their preference for additional daylight in the evening.
Businesses generally favoured longer evenings over brighter mornings, reflecting the lifestyle and quality-of-life benefits associated with extended daylight after work hours.
Yet even here, the issue remains nuanced. A preference for evening daylight did not necessarily translate into support for a particular timekeeping model. Businesses weighed daylight considerations alongside operational realities, employee needs, and economic connectivity.
What We Heard
The survey results tell the story of a business community carefully weighing competing priorities.
Businesses want to support employee wellbeing. They want practical and predictable operations. They want to remain aligned with customers, suppliers, and trading partners. And they want any long-term decision to reflect the realities of doing business in an interconnected economy.
What they do not offer is a simple, one-size-fits-all answer.
While Permanent Daylight Time received the largest share of support, the Manitoba business community remains divided on the path forward. Any future discussion on seasonal time changes will need to balance operational impacts, quality-of-life considerations, and Manitoba’s economic relationships with neighbouring jurisdictions.
Whether Manitoba springs forward, falls back, or stays put, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce will continue to advocate for the business perspective to be part of the final decision.
About the Survey
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce conducted an online survey to better understand how seasonal time changes affect Manitoba businesses and organizations.
A total of 107 businesses and organizations participated, representing a broad range of sectors including professional services, non-profit organizations, construction, retail, and other industries.
The majority of respondents represented small and medium-sized enterprises, with 70% employing fewer than 20 people.
Responses were received from businesses across Manitoba, including Winnipeg, Southern Manitoba, and rural and northern regions of the province.
