Vancouver Morning Briefing: Top 5 News Stories (February 18, 2026)

Good morning, Vancouver. Here are the top five stories you need to know this Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

1. Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooting Investigation Continues

TUMBLER RIDGE: Investigators continue examining evidence from Canada’s deadliest mass shooting, which claimed eight lives in the northeast B.C. community last week. An 18-year-old shooter killed five students and one teacher’s aide at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School before fatally shooting the aide’s mother and half-brother at a residence in town.

The RCMP confirmed Tuesday that forensic teams remain on-site at both the school and the residential location. Officials have not released the shooter’s identity or confirmed whether the suspect is among the deceased.

Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a vigil in Tumbler Ridge following the February 11 incident, joined by leaders from other federal parties. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tuesday that Carney will not return to the community during his B.C. visit today, stating that investigators need space to complete their work.

The shooting surpassed the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal as the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. The Tumbler Ridge District Municipality has established a community support centre at the local recreation complex, offering counselling services to residents affected by the tragedy.

School officials have not announced when Tumbler Ridge Secondary School will reopen. The district employs approximately 45 staff members and serves 320 students from kindergarten through grade 12.

2. B.C. Budget 2026 Allocates $8.2 Billion for Health Care and Housing

VICTORIA: The British Columbia government delivered its 2026 provincial budget Tuesday, committing $8.2 billion in new funding for health care infrastructure and affordable housing initiatives over the next three fiscal years.

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey outlined $4.7 billion designated for health care facility upgrades, including expansions at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and Victoria General Hospital. The funding package includes $215 million for medical equipment purchases and $340 million to recruit and retain 1,200 nurses and 450 physicians across the province.

The budget allocates $3.5 billion for affordable housing construction, targeting 18,000 new rental units by 2029. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon stated the province will prioritize modular housing projects on underutilized government-owned land in Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District, and Kelowna.

The budget projects a deficit of $9.6 billion for fiscal 2026-27, increasing the provincial debt-to-GDP ratio to 21.3 percent. Bailey attributed the deficit to infrastructure investments and revenue shortfalls from reduced natural resource royalties.

Opposition BC United finance critic Peter Milobar criticized the spending plan, stating the government failed to address affordability concerns for middle-income families. The New Democratic Party holds 57 seats in the 93-seat Legislative Assembly.

The budget includes a temporary suspension of the provincial fuel tax for six months, reducing gasoline prices by 6.75 cents per litre starting April 1, 2026.

3. Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Metro Vancouver Transit and Travel

VANCOUVER: Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Tuesday evening, forecasting 20 to 35 centimetres of snow by Wednesday afternoon. The weather system has disrupted transit services and forced multiple school closures across the region.

TransLink confirmed Wednesday morning that all SkyTrain lines are operating at reduced speeds due to snow accumulation on elevated tracks. The Millennium Line experienced delays of up to 25 minutes between Lougheed Town Centre and VCC-Clark stations. Bus routes on the North Shore and in Burnaby reported service suspensions on steep grades, including routes 210, 214, and 229.

BC Ferries cancelled 14 sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, affecting approximately 3,200 passengers. The ferry corporation stated it will reassess conditions at noon Wednesday to determine whether afternoon departures can proceed safely.

Vancouver International Airport recorded 87 flight cancellations by 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, affecting domestic routes to Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. Airport spokesperson Megan Sutton advised passengers to contact airlines directly for rebooking options.

The City of Vancouver deployed 75 snowplows and 45 salting trucks overnight to maintain arterial roads. Public Works officials stated residential streets remain the lowest priority, with crews focusing on bus routes and major thoroughfares.

Environment Canada forecasts the storm system will move east by Thursday morning, with temperatures rising to 4 degrees Celsius by the weekend. The weather agency maintains snowfall warnings for Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3 through Manning Park, advising drivers to avoid non-essential travel.

4. Vancouver Canucks Honor Broadcasting Legend Jim Robson

VANCOUVER: The Vancouver Canucks will hold a tribute ceremony for legendary broadcaster Jim Robson before Wednesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Robson died February 12 at age 92 after a 51-year career calling Canucks games.

Canucks Sports and Entertainment announced Tuesday that players will wear special helmet decals featuring Robson’s initials throughout the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The organization will also install a permanent memorial in the arena’s broadcast booth where Robson called games from 1970 to 1994.

Robson broadcast 2,140 Canucks games during his tenure with the team, including the franchise’s Stanley Cup Final appearances in 1982 and 1994. He received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 1992, recognizing excellence in hockey broadcasting.

Former Canucks captain Trevor Linden stated Robson’s voice defined hockey in British Columbia for multiple generations. Current broadcaster John Shorthouse, who succeeded Robson in the booth, called him a mentor and friend who set the standard for sports broadcasting in Canada.

The Canucks organization plans a larger public celebration of Robson’s life at a date to be announced. Robson’s family requested donations to the Jim Robson Scholarship Fund at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, supporting students pursuing careers in broadcast journalism.

Puck drop for Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Canucks enter the contest with a 32-24-8 record, holding the second wild card position in the Western Conference.

5. Metro Vancouver Police Issue Warning Following Sexual Assault Series

SURREY: Metro Vancouver Transit Police issued a public safety alert Tuesday following five reported sexual assaults on public transit in North Surrey and Burnaby between February 10 and February 17.

Transit Police Constable Amanda Steed confirmed the assaults occurred on SkyTrain platforms and buses during evening hours between 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. All incidents involved a male suspect approaching female victims from behind, with attacks occurring at Joyce-Collingwood Station, Surrey Central Station, and on buses traveling along King George Boulevard.

Investigators released surveillance images showing a suspect described as a male in his late 20s to early 30s, approximately 5’10” tall with a medium build, wearing dark clothing and a black baseball cap. Transit Police stated the suspect fled on foot following each incident.

The police service increased uniformed patrols on the Expo Line between Commercial-Broadway and King George stations. Transit Security officers will also conduct additional platform monitoring during evening hours.

Transit Police advised passengers to remain aware of their surroundings, travel in groups when possible after dark, and report suspicious activity immediately using the Transit Police emergency line at 604-515-8300 or by texting 87-77-77.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Metro Vancouver Transit Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Transit Police confirmed the investigation remains active, with detectives reviewing additional security footage from stations and buses along affected routes.

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