Overview
Alberta has adopted permanent Alberta Time (previously called Mountain Daylight Time or MDT in Alberta) to eliminate the previous practice of semi-annual clock changes.
Previously, Albertans would advance their clocks during the spring to observe Daylight Saving Time. In the fall, clocks would be reset to Mountain Standard Time. Beginning in November 2026, clocks will no longer reset to Mountain Standard Time, and Alberta will remain on Alberta Time year-round.
Benefits of changing to Alberta Time
Permanently adopting Alberta Time will:
- reduce frustrations and disruptions associated with the previous practice of semi-annual clock changes
- improve predictability for families, businesses, schools, and services
- align Alberta with neighbouring jurisdictions that have moved away from seasonal clock changes
- reduce confusion for those who live, work, or do business across borders
Alberta will monitor the transition to permanent Alberta Time closely and will gather feedback after the first full year of operating on permanent Mountain Daylight Time to ensure the change is functioning as intended.
Selecting a time zone
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the global standard for establishing time zones across the globe. Time zones are reflected as either UTC+00:00 or UTC-00:00, indicating whether the local time is ahead (+) or behind (-) the coordinated universal time—based on the Prime Meridian (zero-degree longitude), which separates the eastern and western hemispheres.
Alberta Time is equivalent to UTC-6:00.