N.W.T to follow Alberta in ditching clock changes, will adopt permanent daylight time

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson looks on before a Council of the Federation meeting in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Simpson says the N.W.T is following the decision of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, right, in adopting year-round daylight time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

YELLOWKNIFE — Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson says the territory will follow Alberta’s lead in ditching twice-a-year clock changes.

Simpson says N.W.T residents have in the past supported the idea and doing it now with Alberta makes the most sense.

The Alberta government announced this week that it would soon table legislation to adopt year-round daylight time, meaning Albertans won’t need to change their clocks again.

A provincial referendum on the topic failed by a razor-thin margin just five years ago, but the government says with British Columbia also making the switch recently it’s time to just make the jump.

Simpson says N.W.T following suit will require the territory to work with other jurisdictions and industry to ensure a smooth transition and that work will get underway shortly.

Alberta and the Northwest Territories share the same time zone, and Simpson had previously said the territory would only make the switch if Alberta did too.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2026.