Popular Time Zones in Canada by Provinces

Canada is one of the most diverse nations in the world. It is all because the country’s boundaries are stretched thousands of miles, fostering cultural harmony. There are 24 time zones worldwide, out of which six popular time zones are in Canada by province.

It means that when you are in the country, you must adjust your clocks accordingly. Some essential facts about the Canadian time zone will blow your mind.

It is important to note that all these facts are related to the diverse time zones implemented in Canada.

There is an essential fact about daylight saving. George Hudson introduced it in 1895. He wanted to study the insects and wanted to make use of daylight to do so. It was legalized by the parliament in 1915.

Daylight Saving

For daylight saving time, the clocks are to be forwarded an hour ahead, and it is not all over Canada. It means that the clocks are delivered during the different months of the year.

Whatever the case is, it is essential to note that daylight time is saved. Some people and even organizations are against the act.

Such people are of the view that it disrupts sleep and can lead to issues in everyday life. They also believe that it is just a waste of time and serves no purpose.

Almost all the provinces of Canada apply Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the warm period of the year, excluding the most territory of Saskatchewan (SK) and some exceptions in British Columbia (BC), Yukon (YT), Ontario (ON), Quebec (QC) and Nunavut (NU). As a result, the DST schedule in Canada is synchronized with the USA.

Also, many studies show that daylight saving does not fulfill the purpose for which it was practiced. For example, the studies conducted by the University of Toronto in 2008 clearly show that it is useless.

This fact comprises two parts. The Newfoundland keeps time by subtracting 3.5 hours from the coordinated universal time. For daylight saving, Newfoundland subtracts about 2.5 hours from the UTC during daylight saving time. It is interesting to note that there is only one province of Newfoundland and Labrador in this zone.

Labrador is not on Newfoundland time at all. Newfoundland Island, the southeastern Labrador till the Black Tickle Island, follows this time zone. The rest of Labrador observes the Atlantic Time zone as the rest of Canada does.

How many time zone are in Canada?

There are six standard time zones in Canada, and 4 of them are the same as in the USA. Legally all matters concerning local time are officially regulated by the provincial legislation and decisions of the municipalities; that’s why, many exceptions apply in some provinces in practice. Below are the six time zones in Canada:

1. Newfoundland Time zone
2. Atlantic Time zone
3. Eastern Time zone
4. Central Time zone
5. Mountain Time zone
6. Pacific Time zone

Newfoundland time zone

This fact comprises two parts. First, Newfoundland keeps time by subtracting 3.5 hours from the coordinated universal time.

For daylight saving, Newfoundland subtracts about 2.5 hours from the UTC during daylight saving time.

It is interesting to note that there is only one province of Newfoundland and Labrador in this zone. Labrador is not on Newfoundland time at all.

Atlantic Time zone

Atlantic Time Zone comprises most of Labrador and three other provinces – New Brunswick (NB), Nova Scotia (NS), and Prince Edward Island (PE).

In Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provinces are in the Atlantic Time Zone. Prince Edward Island and small portions of Quebec (eastern Côte-Nord and the Magdalen Islands) also follow the Atlantic Standard Time and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

Eastern Time Zone encompasses the eastern part of Nunavut (NU), most of Ontario (ON), and Quebec (QC) provinces.

The Eastern Time zone

Eastern Time Zone encompasses the eastern part of Nunavut (NU), most of Ontario (ON), and Quebec (QC) provinces.

Central Time zone

Includes entire Manitoba (MB) and Saskatchewan (SK) with minor exceptions and quite a big piece of Nunavut (NU).

Mountain Time zone

Comprises wholly Alberta (AB) and Northwest Territories (NT), also the western part of Nunavut (NU), the small exception in Saskatchewan (SK), the eastern and southeastern districts of British Columbia (BC).

Pacific Time zone

This zone covers most of British Columbia (BC) and Yukon (YT).

The effect of time zones has been a little-known but essential issue for international business. Trading patterns and partners have historically influenced country time zones. Setting the same time zone as a partner makes it easier to conduct trading since business hours match.

Provinces and territories of Canada with their time zones

How do Time Zones influence Traveling Times?

The effect of time zones has been a little-known but essential issue for international travelers. Trading patterns and partners have historically influenced country time zones. Setting the same time zone as a partner makes it easier to conduct trading since business hours match.

Why should Immigrants Care about Time Zone?

Traveling between different time zones is both exciting and challenging. It is fun because you know you can visit a new place far from your home. However, it is challenging because you have to deal with another time zone. For instance, it could be daytime when you leave your area, but it is nighttime when you arrive at your destination.

No matter how much time difference you encounter, your body might experience some adverse effects. For example, traveling to a different time zone can disturb your physical, mental, and behavioral changes, leading to jet lag.

Which Province in Canada has its time zone?

Newfoundland lies squarely in the eastern half of the Atlantic Time Zone, precisely three and a half hours from Greenwich. Since the Dominion of Newfoundland was separate from Canada, it had the right to adopt its time zone when time zones were first created.

In Canada, the island of Newfoundland has a reputation for being quirky and unique. One of those quirky, unique things that set it apart is its time zone, which deviates from the regular standard time zone scheme by a half-hour.

Tips To Help you Adjust to New Time Zone When Traveling.

Severe jet lag isn’t inevitable if you’re planning to travel to land in a different time zone. However, these tips will help you prepare your body for the change so that you can enjoy your trip with as little disruption to your sleep as possible.

Plan ahead:

Before your trip, figure out how much you’ll need to shift your sleep and wake times to sync after arriving. Then, allowing enough time to do it gradually, begin to go to bed earlier and get up earlier, or vice-versa depending on the direction you’ll be traveling in, to get your body used to the new time zone before you have to live in it.

Adjust Your Sleep Schedule Before You Leave:

Start adjusting your sleep schedule to your destination’s time several days before you leave. “Some studies have shown that attempting to advance or delay your body clock gradually before you travel can adjust faster and easier on your body, reducing the effects of jet lag.” Here’s hoping you land feeling magically adjusted.

Make yourself stay awake: 

This will generate a robust sleep drive and may counteract issues related to a misaligned circadian rhythm. However, like pulling an all-nighter, your desire for sleep will be extreme if you stay awake for a prolonged period, no matter your time zone.

One way to do this: Don’t sleep on the plane and when you arrive, fight the urge to take a nap and try to stay awake until your regular bedtime based on local time.

See the light: 

The most crucial factor in resetting your body clock is light. If you can, get 15 to 30 minutes of direct sunlight as soon as you wake up. Then, go for a walk, eat breakfast outside, or sit in the sun and read.

Pop some Melatonin:

Avoid sleep aids while traveling, as it’s much better to go about this shift naturally. But if you must pop a pill, reach for some melatonin. “Melatonin is the chemical your brain releases to make you sleepy.

Get Amazing Sleep Your First Night: 

A messed up internal clock may make sleep hard to come by, yet you should try your hardest to get a good night’s rest. “At night. About an hour before bed, keep the lights in your room as dim as possible.

Close blinds or curtains and cover any light from a clock, computer, television, or even your smartphone, because light can make you more alert and reset your internal clock to the wrong time, making you think the day has begun.

We hope you can reset and feel energized and awake throughout your trip. If not, try to embrace sleepiness as part of the experience and promise to have fun.

See Also: 8 Best Cities in Alberta Province to Live in

Conclusion

In conclusion, time zones in Canada vary by province. British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories are in the Pacific Time Zone, while Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are in the Central Time Zone. Newfoundland, Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are in the Atlantic Time Zone. Lastly, Ontario, Quebec, and most of Nunavut are in the Eastern Time Zone.