Current Pacific Time (PCT)

About Pacific Time (PCT)

In 2026, British Columbia finalized the transition to a year-round single time standard known as Pacific Time.

Exceptions:

• Northeastern British Columbia (Year-Round Mountain Standard Time)
  • • Peace River Regional District & Northern Rockies: These areas use Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round without daylight saving time.
  • • Communities include: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, and Tumbler Ridge.
• Southeastern British Columbia (East Kootenay Region)
  • • East Kootenay: These communities follow Mountain Time and stay aligned with Alberta.
  • • Communities include: Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood, Invermere, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs, and Elkford.
  • • Creston Valley: Creston and surrounding areas operate on Mountain Standard Time year-round and do not observe daylight saving time.

With the official abbreviation PCT, this permanent shift eliminated the biannual practice of changing clocks, replacing the former seasonal abbreviations of PST (Pacific Standard Time) and PDT (Pacific Daylight Time).

Operating at seven hours behind Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC-7), this consistent standard aligns with the previous offset used during daylight saving time. As outlined by the B.C. government, the move significantly reduces administrative burdens for businesses by eliminating the need for system reprogramming and operational resets every spring and fall. It provides greater consistency for planning across transportation, technology services, and daily life, establishing a unified and healthier time standard across the vast majority of the province.