The Canada time difference is −5 h from London all year round for Montreal (briefly different for a few weeks in spring and autumn, when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates). The country has 7 time zones: depending on the region and the season, the gap with London ranges from −8 h to −3 h 30.
In practice, when it is noon in London it is 07:00 in Montreal during UK winter time (GMT) and 07:00 during British Summer Time.
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Live local time
Calculated by your browser from the IANA time zone database.
Time in Canada: key facts
- Time zone: UTC−5 (standard time) / UTC−4 (daylight saving time), IANA identifier
America/Toronto - Difference with London: −5 h in both UK winter (GMT) and British Summer Time
- Difference with New York: none, Montreal is on Eastern time
- Daylight saving in Canada: yes, see the dates below
- Next clock changes: UK on Sunday 25 October 2026 (BST to GMT) and Sunday 28 March 2027; US on Sunday 1 November 2026 (EDT to EST) and Sunday 14 March 2027
- Time zones: 7 (details by region below)
Time difference between London and Canada
| Time in London | In Montreal (UK winter, GMT) | In Montreal (UK summer, BST) |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 03:00 | 03:00 |
| 12:00 | 07:00 | 07:00 |
| 18:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| 22:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Period | Montreal vs London |
|---|---|
| 25 October – 31 October 2026 | −4 h |
| 1 November 2026 – 13 March 2027 | −5 h |
| 14 March – 27 March 2027 | −4 h |
| 28 March – 30 October 2027 | −5 h |
| 31 October – 6 November 2027 | −4 h |
| 7 November – 31 December 2027 | −5 h |
The gap with London is the same for most of the year; it differs for a few weeks in spring and autumn, when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates.
Clock changes 2026–2027
Canada observes daylight saving time. Planned dates (local time in Montreal):
- Sunday 1 November 2026: from UTC−4 to UTC−5
- Sunday 14 March 2027: from UTC−5 to UTC−4
- Sunday 7 November 2027: from UTC−4 to UTC−5
In the UK, clocks change on the following dates:
- Sunday 25 October 2026: BST (UTC+1) to GMT (UTC+0)
- Sunday 28 March 2027: GMT (UTC+0) to BST (UTC+1)
- Sunday 31 October 2027: BST (UTC+1) to GMT (UTC+0)
Time zones of Canada: gap by region
| Region / cities | Time zone (UTC) | Gap with London (UK winter / summer) | Gap with New York (US winter / summer) | When it is 12:00 in London (winter / summer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern) | UTC−5 / UTC−4 | −5 h / −5 h | 0 h / 0 h | 07:00 / 07:00 |
| Halifax (Atlantic) | UTC−4 / UTC−3 | −4 h / −4 h | +1 h / +1 h | 08:00 / 08:00 |
| St. John’s (Newfoundland) | UTC−3:30 / UTC−2:30 | −3 h 30 / −3 h 30 | +1 h 30 / +1 h 30 | 08:30 / 08:30 |
| Winnipeg (Central) | UTC−6 / UTC−5 | −6 h / −6 h | −1 h / −1 h | 06:00 / 06:00 |
| Regina (Saskatchewan) | UTC−6 | −6 h / −7 h | −1 h / −2 h | 06:00 / 05:00 |
| Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain) | UTC−7 / UTC−6 | −7 h / −7 h | −2 h / −2 h | 05:00 / 05:00 |
| Vancouver (Pacific) | UTC−7 | −7 h / −8 h | −2 h / −3 h | 05:00 / 04:00 |
No local clock change: Regina (Saskatchewan), Vancouver (Pacific). The gap with the other regions of the country therefore varies with the season.
When to call Canada from the UK
To reach someone between 09:00 and 20:00 Montreal time, call between 14:00 and 01:00 (running past midnight) London time in UK winter, and between 14:00 and 01:00 (running past midnight) during British Summer Time.
Working days overlap only partly: aim for the start or the end of the day, and always state the time zone in your meeting invitations.
Time difference and jet lag: practical tips
Flying to Canada from Europe means travelling west: your day is lengthened and you will need to stay up later than usual. A few simple rules help you adjust to local time:
- Set your watch and phone to local time as soon as you board.
- Align meals and bedtime with local time from the first day.
- Plan a light first day, with no important meetings or long drives.
- Get out in daylight when you arrive and avoid long naps.
- If you take medication at fixed times, ask your doctor how to adapt the schedule to the time difference.
Canada time zones: IANA identifiers and history
| Zone | IANA identifier | Standard time on 15 January 2027 | On 15 July 2027 | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern) | America/Toronto | UTC−5 | UTC−4 | EST |
| Halifax (Atlantic) | America/Halifax | UTC−4 | UTC−3 | AST |
| St. John’s (Newfoundland) | America/St_Johns | UTC−3:30 | UTC−2:30 | NST |
| Winnipeg (Central) | America/Winnipeg | UTC−6 | UTC−5 | CST |
| Regina (Saskatchewan) | America/Regina | UTC−6 | UTC−6 | CST |
| Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain) | America/Edmonton | UTC−7 | UTC−6 | MST |
| Vancouver (Pacific) | America/Vancouver | UTC−7 | UTC−7 | MST |
- Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern) (
America/Toronto): daylight saving time applied every year since at least 1970. - Halifax (Atlantic) (
America/Halifax): daylight saving time applied every year since at least 1970. - St. John’s (Newfoundland) (
America/St_Johns): daylight saving time applied every year since at least 1970. - Winnipeg (Central) (
America/Winnipeg): daylight saving time applied every year since at least 1970. - Regina (Saskatchewan) (
America/Regina): no clock change recorded since 1 January 1970. - Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain) (
America/Edmonton): daylight saving time applied every year; the tz database records it since at least 1972. - Vancouver (Pacific) (
America/Vancouver): last clock change recorded on Sunday 8 March 2026, from UTC−8 to UTC−7. Daylight saving time was applied in some years since 1970 (last: 2026); it no longer is.
Daylight saving time in Canada in 2027: clock-change dates
Dates calculated from the tz database rules for America/Toronto (Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern)). They differ from those in the UK: the gap with London changes several times a year (table below).
- Sunday 14 March 2027 at 02:00 (local time): clocks go forward one hour (UTC−5 → UTC−4), at the same moment as 07:00 in London.
- Sunday 7 November 2027 at 02:00 (local time): clocks go back one hour (UTC−4 → UTC−5), at the same moment as 06:00 in London.
| 2027 period | Gap with London (Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern)) |
|---|---|
| 1 January – 13 March | −5 h |
| 14 March – 27 March | −4 h |
| 28 March – 30 October | −5 h |
| 31 October – 6 November | −4 h |
| 7 November – 31 December | −5 h |
Sunrise and sunset in Ottawa in 2027
Local sunrise and sunset times on the 15th of each month in Ottawa (45.42° N. 75.70° W). They help you time your exposure to daylight, the main lever for resetting your body clock on arrival.
| 15th of the month | Sunrise | Solar noon | Sunset | Day length | Sunrise / sunset in London time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:39 | 12:12 | 16:46 | 9 h 07 | 12:39 / 21:46 |
| February | 07:04 | 12:17 | 17:30 | 10 h 25 | 12:04 / 22:30 |
| March | 07:15 | 13:12 | 19:08 | 11 h 53 | 11:15 / 23:08 |
| April | 06:17 | 13:03 | 19:48 | 13 h 31 | 11:17 / 00:48 |
| May | 05:32 | 12:59 | 20:26 | 14 h 54 | 10:32 / 01:26 |
| June | 05:14 | 13:03 | 20:53 | 15 h 39 | 10:14 / 01:53 |
| July | 05:29 | 13:09 | 20:49 | 15 h 19 | 10:29 / 01:49 |
| August | 06:04 | 13:07 | 20:11 | 14 h 07 | 11:04 / 01:11 |
| September | 06:41 | 12:58 | 19:15 | 12 h 33 | 11:41 / 00:15 |
| October | 07:19 | 12:49 | 18:18 | 10 h 59 | 12:19 / 23:18 |
| November | 07:02 | 11:47 | 16:33 | 9 h 31 | 12:02 / 21:33 |
| December | 07:36 | 11:58 | 16:20 | 8 h 44 | 12:36 / 21:20 |
The longest day in the table is 15 June (15 h 39 between 05:14 and 20:53), the shortest 15 December (8 h 44).
In the other destinations covered by our guides, daylight varies with latitude and position within the time zone:
| Destination | Time zone | Daylight on 15 January 2027 | Daylight on 15 July 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | America/Vancouver | 09:02 – 17:42 | 05:24 – 21:13 |
| Montreal | America/Toronto | 07:30 – 16:37 | 05:20 – 20:40 |
Jet lag: how flight direction affects you in Canada
- Outbound from the UK (flying west): you « gain » 5 hours in UK winter and 5 hours in summer; your arrival day is lengthened and tiredness hits early in the local evening.
- Return to the UK (flying east): the opposite applies. Flying east shortens the day: plan a quiet day when you get home.
- Your usual night in London (23:00 – 07:00) corresponds to 18:00 – 02:00 in Montreal in UK winter (18:00 – 02:00 during BST): this is when your body will want to sleep for the first few days.
- Daylight on arrival: in Ottawa, the sun rises around 07:39 and sets around 16:46 in mid-January, and around 05:29 and 20:49 in mid-July (table above). After flying west, make the most of late-afternoon light to stay up until the evening; this is the standard advice for shifting your body clock.
Plan your trip to Canada
- Our complete Canada travel guide: highlights, itineraries and budget
- Best time to visit Canada: month-by-month weather and the best season
- Time differences around the world: every country in our guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between Canada and the UK?
Montreal is 5 hours behind London all year, except for a few weeks in spring and autumn when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates.
What time is it in Canada when it is noon in London?
Noon in London is 07:00 in Montreal in UK winter and 07:00 during British Summer Time.
Does Canada have daylight saving time?
Yes. Next changes (local time): Sunday 1 November 2026, from UTC−4 to UTC−5; Sunday 14 March 2027, from UTC−5 to UTC−4.
How many time zones does Canada have?
This page covers 7 time zones (Montreal, Halifax, St. John’s, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver). The regional table gives the gap with London and New York for each, in winter and summer.
When should I call Canada from the UK?
To reach someone between 09:00 and 20:00 local time, call between 14:00 and 01:00 London time in UK winter (14:00 and 01:00 during BST).
What is the IANA time zone for Canada?
Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto (Eastern): America/Toronto; Halifax (Atlantic): America/Halifax; St. John’s (Newfoundland): America/St_Johns; Winnipeg (Central): America/Winnipeg; Regina (Saskatchewan): America/Regina; Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain): America/Edmonton; Vancouver (Pacific): America/Vancouver.
What time does the sun rise in Ottawa?
Around 07:39 on 15 January 2027 and around 05:29 on 15 July 2027 (local time); sunset around 16:46 and 20:49. Destination de Voyage calculation (NOAA algorithm).
Our sources
- Sunrise and sunset: algorithm from the NOAA Solar Calculator (Global Monitoring Laboratory), applied to the capital’s coordinates (Natural Earth, Wikidata or Wikipedia): Destination de Voyage calculation.
- IANA Time Zone Database (tz database), version 2026b, consulted on 13 October 2026: time zones, rules and clock-change dates. Future dates may be changed by local authorities.
- UK clock changes (forward at 1am on the last Sunday in March, back at 2am on the last Sunday in October; 25 October 2026, 28 March and 31 October 2027): GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, checked 11 November 2026.
- US daylight saving time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November): NIST, Daylight Saving Time, checked 11 November 2026.
- Live time: calculated by your browser (Intl API), which relies on the same IANA database.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.