October 23, 2026
Topics: Approved Services, Microsoft 365, Outlook, Tech Tip

IMPORTANT: BC Time Zone Change

Starting November 1, 2026, British Columbia will remain on Pacific Time (UTC-07:00) year-round and clocks will not fall back.

Because many devices are still configured for the traditional Pacific Time zone that expects a time change, meetings and appointments on or after November 1 may appear one hour off.

ITL for Learning department is updating district-managed Windows devices, as well as Outlook settings. However, existing meetings must be reviewed and updated by the meeting organizer, as they cannot be safely adjusted automatically by IT.

What to do?

Verify Your Time Zone Settings

To avoid scheduling issues after November 1, confirm that your devices and applications are using the new (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (British Columbia) time zone.

Windows

• Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.
• Confirm the time zone is set to (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (British Columbia).
• If a different Pacific time zone is selected, update it accordingly.

Outlook on the Web / New Outlook

• Go to Settings > Calendar > View > Time Zones.
• Verify that Display my calendar in time zone is set to (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (British Columbia).

Note: The BC time zone may appear near the top of the list rather than in numerical order. Scroll up if you do not see it immediately.

Important: If Outlook prompts you to update your meeting hours time zone, do not select “Yes, update.”

Other Devices

• Classic Outlook for Windows: Follows the Windows time zone setting. No additional changes are required once Windows is updated.
• macOS: Install the latest updates and restart the device to apply the new BC time zone information.
• iPhone/iPad: Ensure the device is fully updated and using the correct time zone.

Review Meetings You Organized

Any meetings scheduled for November 1 or later, including recurring meetings, should be reviewed by the organizer.

1. Open the meeting (or recurring series).
2. Select (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (British Columbia) as the meeting time zone.
3. Save and send the update to attendees.

Recommendation: Include the time zone in the meeting title (e.g., 10:00 a.m. PCT).

Additional Guidance

• Only update meetings that you organized. Attendees do not need to make changes.
• Recurring meetings require extra attention, as changing the time zone may affect modified or cancelled occurrences.
• For recurring series, consider ending the existing series on October 31 and creating a new one beginning November 1.
• Users on Mac, iPhone, or iPad should make meeting updates using Outlook on the Web, not Outlook for Mac, Apple Calendar, or mobile calendar apps.

• Double-check the start times of important meetings, especially those involving participants outside British Columbia.
• If meeting times appear incorrect, confirm with the organizer.
• If the device clock displays the wrong time, restart the device. Contact the Help Desk if the issue persists.

Actions to Avoid

• Do not select “Yes, update” if Outlook asks to change your meeting hours time zone.
• Do not modify meetings organized by someone else.
• Do not manually shift meeting times by one hour. Update the meeting’s time zone instead.
• Do not use Outlook for Mac, Apple Calendar, or mobile calendar apps to update meetings. Use Outlook on the Web.

Known Issues and Workarounds

The following issues have been identified in relation to British Columbia’s transition to permanent Pacific Time (UTC-07:00). Please review the guidance below to avoid scheduling and calendar-related problems.

Additional Reminder

• Always update meetings using Outlook on the Web.
• Only meeting organizers should make changes to scheduled meetings.
• Pay special attention to recurring meetings and events involving participants outside British Columbia.
• If a meeting time appears incorrect, verify the meeting time zone before adjusting the start time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Why do I need to update my meetings?
  • British Columbia is moving to a permanent Pacific Time (UTC-07:00) time zone. Meetings scheduled for November 1, 2026, or later may display an incorrect time unless they are updated to use the new BC time zone.
• Do I need to update meetings that I was invited to?
  • Only the meeting organizer can update a meeting. If a meeting requires changes, the organizer will send an update and your calendar will adjust automatically when you accept it.
• Why can’t ITL update all meetings automatically?
  • Updating a meeting requires sending an update to every attendee. Performing this process automatically across the district could result in duplicate invitations, incorrect changes, booking conflicts, or unintended impacts to recurring meetings. Meeting organizers are in the best position to review and update their own meetings safely.
• How do I know if my device is using the correct time zone?
  • Verify that your device and Outlook are set to:
  • (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (British Columbia)
  • District-managed devices will be updated by ITL; however, it is a good idea to confirm your settings, especially on personal devices.
• Why does Google Calendar look correct while Outlook does not?
  • Google and Microsoft manage time zone changes independently and may apply updates differently. In Microsoft 365, the new BC time zone must be configured in Outlook settings, and existing meetings may need to be updated individually by the organizer.
• Will my phone update automatically?
  • In most cases, yes. iPhones and devices generally receive updated time zone information through operating system updates.
• What about meetings with people outside British Columbia?
  • These meetings are most likely to be affected by the time zone change.
  • To avoid confusion:
    • Confirm the meeting time with participants.
    • Include the time zone in the meeting title or body (e.g., 10:00 a.m. PCT).
    • Double-check recurring meetings involving people in other provinces, states, or countries.
  • What should I do if my meeting time looks incorrect?

• • Verify your device time zone.
  • Verify your Outlook calendar time zone.
  • Check whether the meeting organizer has already sent an update.

• If the meeting still appears incorrect, contact the organizer before making any changes yourself.

• Do I need to update recurring meetings?
  • Recurring meetings scheduled on or after November 1 should be reviewed carefully. Updating the time zone of a recurring series can sometimes affect modified or cancelled occurrences.
  • For complex recurring meetings, consider:

• • Ending the current series on October 31.
  • Creating a new series starting November 1.

• Can I update meetings from Outlook for Mac, Apple Calendar, or my phone?
  • It is recommended to use Outlook on the Web when reviewing or updating meetings related to the BC time zone change. This provides the most reliable access to the new Pacific Time (British Columbia) setting.