As several western parts of Canada prepare to end the practice of changing their clocks twice a year, a new research analysis says permanent standard time is better for human health than observing daylight saving time throughout the year.

British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have decided not to turn their clocks back by one hour on November 1, 2026, as they normally would. Instead, they will remain on their current daylight saving time.

This will bring the twice-yearly clock changes in these regions to an end, with the same time observed throughout the year.

Although ending seasonal clock changes may be a positive step, the question of which time to make permanent has become an important medical and scientific debate.

The new analysis, conducted by sleep, mental health and economics researchers in British Columbia, was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on October 5, 2026.

According to the researchers, permanent standard time aligns more closely with the human body's natural 24-hour biological clock than permanent daylight saving time.

Ralph Mistlberger, a psychology professor and neuroscience and sleep researcher at Simon Fraser University, explains that natural sunlight in the morning plays an important role in keeping the body's biological clock synchronized.

Under permanent daylight saving time, winter sunrise occurs an hour later by the clock. This could mean more people have to wake up and travel to work or school in darkness.

For the body's natural biological clock, early morning light signals when it is time to wake up. Longer periods of evening light, meanwhile, can delay the biological clock's signals for sleep.

This can create a mismatch between the schedules of everyday social life and the body's natural sleep timing. Researchers refer to this as “social jet lag.”

When this situation persists over a long period, insufficient sleep and disruption of the body's natural timing cycle may affect health.

The researchers point to studies linking chronic sleep deficiency and circadian disruption with metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease. They also note that some large population studies have found associations with certain mental health conditions and cancer risks.

Could students also be affected?

Another important concern raised by researchers about permanent daylight saving time involves school students.

Later winter sunrises could increase the likelihood that students will travel to school in darkness.

Researchers including Patrick Baylis, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia's Vancouver School of Economics, point out that natural morning light may also influence students' learning and performance.

The new analysis cites a study of students near time-zone boundaries in Florida in the United States. Students who received an additional hour of sunlight before school showed improved mathematics and reading results.

Because the body's sleep–wake cycle is particularly sensitive during adolescence, the researchers emphasize the need to continue monitoring the effects on young students.

British Columbia residents' decision

More than 223,000 people participated in an online survey conducted by the British Columbia government in 2019. Of those respondents, 93 per cent supported ending twice-yearly clock changes and observing daylight saving time throughout the year.

The British Columbia government has presented an extra hour of evening light, fewer disruptions to families' daily schedules and the removal of the need to change clocks twice a year as benefits of permanent daylight saving time.

However, the authors of the new analysis identify an important limitation: the survey did not offer the public a third option of permanent standard time.

In other words, respondents were offered a choice between continuing twice-yearly clock changes and adopting permanent daylight saving time.

Countries that tried the change and reversed it

The researchers also point out that some countries have already encountered difficulties when implementing permanent daylight saving time.

Russia switched to permanent daylight saving time in 2011. The decision was reversed in 2014 following growing public opposition over prolonged winter morning darkness, particularly in northern regions.

Much of a similar change introduced in Chile in 2015 was also subsequently reversed.

The United States introduced permanent daylight saving time in 1974 to conserve energy. However, the arrangement did not last, following objections concerning dark winter mornings, children travelling to school in darkness and workplace safety.

What will happen from November 1?

In many parts of Canada, clocks will normally be turned back by one hour on November 1, 2026.

British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, however, will not make that change this year and will continue observing their current daylight saving time.

These regions will have more evening daylight by the clock, while sunrise will appear an hour later on winter mornings.

The researchers are not arguing against ending seasonal clock changes. Their central point is that, if a single time is to be observed throughout the year, the medical evidence favours making standard time permanent because it aligns more closely with the body's natural biological clock.

If governments continue with permanent daylight saving time, the researchers recommend reducing its possible effects through measures such as later school start times, improved safety for early morning travel and steps to ensure sufficient morning light.