Summary

The Time Act, 2026 establishes central standard time (UTC-6) as Saskatchewan's official time year-round and creates a framework for border municipalities to follow neighbouring jurisdictions' time zones if approved by the minister. The act repeals the existing Time Act and allows regulations to override other provincial laws on time matters.

This bill sets central standard time as Saskatchewan's permanent time zone, meaning the province will not shift clocks seasonally. However, it allows communities near provincial borders to request a different time arrangement (UTC-5, UTC-6, or UTC-7) if they want to match neighbouring jurisdictions. To establish such a 'time option area,' either all municipalities in the proposed area must request it jointly, or the minister can initiate consultations with affected municipalities and First Nations. The minister decides whether creating a time option area serves the provincial interest. The bill explicitly applies to Lloydminster and gives the government power to make regulations that override time provisions in other Saskatchewan laws. It replaces the old Time Act with this new framework, and the changes take effect on a date set by cabinet order.