For the first time in decades, Manitobans will not be turning their clocks back this fall.
The Manitoba government recently announced that the province will remain on daylight saving time permanently, ending the twice-yearly time change. Clocks will not revert to standard time on Nov. 1, 2026.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce welcomes the certainty this decision brings for businesses.
Earlier this year, we asked Manitoba businesses to share their perspectives on seasonal time changes. What we heard was clear in one respect: there was no single business position on what Manitoba’s timekeeping system should look like.
Businesses had different preferences, and for many, changing the clocks twice a year was not a significant operational issue. For those that did experience impacts, however, concerns included employee fatigue and productivity, scheduling, IT adjustments, family schedules, administrative requirements and workplace safety.
But one theme came through particularly clearly: Manitoba businesses are deeply connected to the rest of Canada.
Businesses operate every day across provincial borders, working with customers, suppliers, employees and partners in other jurisdictions. Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario were among the provinces most frequently identified as important business partners in our survey. For these businesses, the question was not simply about whether the clocks moved forward or backward; it was about predictability, coordination and staying connected to the markets and people they rely on.
That consideration remains important now that the province has made its decision.
Permanent daylight time will mean businesses no longer need to adjust schedules, systems and routines twice a year. For organizations operating across jurisdictions, it also provides certainty about Manitoba’s timekeeping system going forward. At the same time, businesses will need to work through practical considerations around employee schedules, payroll, technology, operating hours and coordination with customers and partners.
The transition will look different across sectors and communities, and there will be a period of adjustment. That is why clear communication, and practical guidance will be important as businesses prepare for the change.
The Chamber’s role throughout this discussion has been to bring the business perspective to the conversation. Our survey demonstrated that businesses were weighing a range of considerations, including employee wellbeing, operational practicality, predictability and Manitoba’s economic connections with other jurisdictions.
Now that the decision has been made, the focus can shift from debating the options to preparing for what comes next. The goal should be a smooth transition that gives Manitoba businesses the certainty they need to plan, operate and remain competitive.
For Manitoba businesses, the clock may be changing for the last time. What matters now is making that change predictable, practical and supportive of the people and businesses that keep Manitoba’s economy moving.
