Many provinces are changing their approach to turning back the clocks. This is having an impact on businesses and their Microsoft systems. Here are the questions our clients are asking with Joesoftware’s guidance and advice.
What provinces are changing their time zone?
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories did not turn their clocks, joining the Yukon and most of Saskatchewan in having the same time all year round.
Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada are sticking with the twice a year time change and will continue to lose an hour in fall and gain an hour in Spring.
In summary, this is what times will be across Canada after November 1:
| Province | Time Zone |
| Most of British Columbia | UTC-7 year-round |
| Alberta | UTC-6 year-round |
| Saskatchewan | UTC-6 year-round |
| Manitoba | UTC-5 year-round |
| Most of Ontario | UTC-5 in winter / UTC-4 in summer |
| Most of Quebec | UTC-5 in winter / UTC-4 in summer |
| Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI | UTC-4 in winter / UTC-3 in summer |
| Newfoundland | UTC-330 in winter / UTC-230 in summer |
Are there any exceptions to these time zone rules?
The change in time changes is not as simple as it may first appear. For example, Alberta will be one hour behind Toronto in the winter, and two hours behind in the summer. There are also communities in BC, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec that follow different time zone arrangements than the rest of their province. It will be important make note of the right time zone with your clients and vendors.
What has Microsoft done to accommodate these changes?
Microsoft released the required time zone changes in its October 2026 Windows security updates. Devices without the update may display the wrong time after November 1, and you may need to update your settings in Outlook and on your devices to reflect your new time zone.
Take the time to review your critical systems to ensure everything is updated and set to the correct time zone. Review your:
- Computers and servers
- Outlook calendars and recurring meetings across time zones
- Firewalls, switches and other network equipment
- Door access, security and camera systems
How does this change support from Joesoftware?
Joesoftware will continue to provide customer support Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm UTC-6 (Alberta time), excluding stat holidays. The service and support you know and have come to expect remains the same.