Western Ontario gets a permanent year-round time zone set to Central Standard Time

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted

A new regulation establishes a distinct timekeeping rule for the part of Ontario that lies west of the 90th meridian (roughly the far northwestern corner of the province). That area will permanently observe a time that is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time — equivalent to Central Standard Time — with no seasonal change. In practical terms, clocks in that region will no longer spring forward or fall back; the same time will apply all year. Businesses, governments, and residents operating in or across that boundary should review scheduling, contracts, and systems that assume Ontario-wide uniform time.

Who this affects
residents of northwestern Ontario west of the 90th meridian · businesses operating in or across the affected region · transportation and logistics operators · local governments and municipalities in the affected area