ONTARIO & GLOBAL TIME
GLOBAL DASHBOARD
View the current time in relation to key cities around the world.
UNDERSTANDING TIME ZONES
From geographical origins to cultural impact, here's a guide to how time works, using Ontario as a case study.
The Dual Time Zones
Some large regions, like Ontario, are split by two time zones. Most of its population uses Eastern Time (ET), while a western portion uses Central Time (CT).
Daylight Saving Time
Most regions observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn to make better use of natural daylight.
Meridian Lines
Lines of longitude, like the 90th Meridian West in Ontario, often serve as the rough boundaries between different time zones.
A Canadian Invention
The concept of Standard Time was championed by Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming in the 1870s to solve the chaos of local solar times used by railways.
Economic Hub Time
Major economic centers often define the "de facto" time for a region. For example, "Ontario time" usually refers to Eastern Time, which covers Toronto.
The Economic Clock
Aligning time zones with major financial hubs (e.g., Toronto with New York) is crucial for stock exchanges and international business.
Broadcasting & Scheduling
TV schedules across large countries are based on regional time zones. A 7 PM show in an eastern zone airs at an earlier local time in a western zone.
"Relaxed Time" Culture
In many cultures, there's a concept of "vacation time" or "cottage time" where the formal clock is ignored in favour of a relaxed schedule.