The date. This fall, Quebec returns to Eastern Standard Time overnight from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2 a.m., clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m. Good news for your sleep: you gain an hour that night.
The general rule. Quebec follows the North American standard, under which clocks are turned forward on the second Sunday in March and turned back on the first Sunday of November. If you've recently arrived, this is the twice-a-year rhythm nearly all of Canada follows — except Saskatchewan and Yukon, which no longer change their clocks.
What actually changes. Most phones, computers and smartwatches adjust automatically. Manual devices — your oven, car, bedside alarm, some thermostats — do not, so set them yourself. Returning to standard time also means darkness falls earlier in the late afternoon. Plan for it in your commute and your lighting at home.
A handy safety reminder. Fire departments suggest using the time change to test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. It's an easy date to remember: change the clock, change the batteries.
The ongoing debate. Quebec is weighing whether to end the time change. After a public consultation, about 91% of the roughly 214,000 respondents wanted to abolish it, and nearly three-quarters preferred keeping summer time year-round. The government is still studying the results and has announced no end to the switch. Until then, the November adjustment is still on.
Good to know for newcomers. The memory trick is fall back, spring forward: in November you sleep an extra hour, in March you lose one. Set your manual devices on Saturday night before bed and you won't be caught off guard the next morning.
