Summary

• B.C. eliminated twice-a-year time changes in March 2026 and will start using PCT as the abbreviation for its year-round time zone code
• Establishing PCT as the abbreviation for Pacific Time in advance of the usually anticipated time change in November 2026 provides clarity and consistency for businesses, organizations and people referencing it in communications, operational systems and public-facing materials
• Abbreviated time zone codes are used in operational and communications systems and using PCT for the previously announced Pacific Time aligns with Canadian and international time zone naming conventions

__________

People in B.C. can now use Pacific Time or PCT when referencing the province’s year-round time standard.

“Improved overall health, reduced disruptions for families, simplified scheduling and an extra hour of evening light during the winter months are clear benefits of a year-round time zone,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “In March, Premier Eby announced B.C.’s last ‘spring forward’ time change to Pacific Time and the three-letter abbreviation PCT aligns with how other provinces abbreviate their time zones.”

In summer 2019, public engagement on time observance saw participation from 223,273 people, with 93% supporting adopting year-round Daylight Saving Time.

On Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks would have been turned back an hour, no change will be made. B.C. previously observed Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and Pacific Standard Time (PST) when clocks were changed in March and November of each year.

Why permanent PCT makes sense for B.C.

Evidence suggests there are many benefits from adopting a year-round time standard, including:

• more consistency and fewer disruptions to sleep patterns and daily routines
• more usable light in the evenings in winter, allowing more leisure time, participation in outdoor activities and consumer activity
• reduced administrative burden for small businesses and service providers who may require less system reprogramming, scheduling shifts and operational resets every spring and fall
• more consistency for planning across transportation and technology services

Quick Facts:

• Existing local mountain time arrangements in parts of northern and southeastern B.C. are not changed by the transition to PCT. 
• Canada uses multiple time zone codes: PCT, YST, ABT, MST/MDT, CST/CDT, EST/EDT, AST/ADT and NDT.

Learn More:

• To read more about the 2019 public engagement, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/20564