B.C., Alberta and Manitoba didn't fall back. Here's what that means for cross-border runs this winter
The three provinces are now an hour ahead of their U.S. neighbours until March 14. CBSA has moved hours at 26 land crossings to keep them lined up with the U.S. side.
Clocks in most of North America went back an hour on Sunday. In British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba they did not.
All three provinces have moved to permanent time and stopped the twice-a-year change. For carriers that run into Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota or Minnesota, that changes the math on every appointment until spring.
The new provincial times
- British Columbia: Pacific Time is now UTC-7 all year. The province says the March 8, 2026 change was the last one. Northeast B.C., including Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson, stays on UTC-7. Southeast B.C. communities such as Cranbrook, Fernie, Golden and Invermere stay on UTC-6.
- Alberta: Alberta Time (ABT) is UTC-6 as of Nov. 1. The province warns that older devices, including some vehicle systems, may need to be set by hand.
- Manitoba: Manitoba Time is UTC-5. The province's guide tells businesses to check scheduling, payroll, timekeeping and booking systems, and not to assume the usual time difference with places outside Manitoba still holds.
One hour ahead of the U.S. side
The United States still changes its clocks. U.S. states fell back on Nov. 1 and will spring forward on March 14, 2027.
Until then, a truck crossing southbound from B.C., Alberta or Manitoba gains an extra hour compared with last winter. A load due at 8 a.m. in Montana is due at 9 a.m. Alberta time. Northbound drivers lose that hour.
Border hours have moved
The Canada Border Services Agency adjusted opening and closing times at 26 land ports of entry from 2 a.m. local time on Nov. 1 to 2 a.m. on March 14, 2027. The agency says the goal is to keep its hours aligned with the U.S. ports next door.
- B.C., nine crossings: Aldergrove, Carson, Cascade, Chopaka, Fraser, Midway, Nelway, Pleasant Camp and Waneta. Aldergrove now runs 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. for travellers and commercial traffic. Commercial service at Cascade is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- Alberta, four crossings: Aden, Carway, Del Bonita and Wild Horse. Carway is open 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, for travellers and commercial traffic. Commercial hours at Wild Horse are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- Manitoba, 13 crossings: Cartwright, Coulter, Crystal City, Goodlands, Gretna, Lena, Lyleton, Piney, Snowflake, South Junction, Tolstoi, Windygates and Winkler. Commercial service at Gretna, Tolstoi and Winkler is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Times are local provincial time. Most of the small ports close to commercial traffic on weekends and holidays. CBSA says drivers who miss a port's hours should use an alternate port of entry.
What to check this week
- Pickup and delivery appointments booked with U.S. customers, especially standing weekly loads.
- Dispatch software, ELDs and phones. Alberta specifically flags vehicle systems.
- Driver schedules built around a port's closing time.
The provinces plan to review the change. Alberta says it will gather feedback after the first full year. Manitoba's own survey drew about 72,000 responses, with 92% in favour of ending the clock change.