Vancouver Morning Briefing: Top 5 News Stories (February 19, 2026)

Good morning, Vancouver. Here are the top five stories you need to know this Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

1. B.C. Budget 2026: Finance Minister Warns of Job Cuts Ahead

British Columbia’s Finance Minister issued a stark warning Tuesday about potential job cuts across the provincial government as officials prepare to release the 2026 budget. The minister outlined fiscal challenges facing the province in a pre-budget briefing to media, signaling difficult decisions ahead.

 

Officials confirmed that the budget, set for release next week, will address a projected shortfall in provincial revenues. The finance ministry has been conducting a comprehensive review of government operations over the past three months to identify areas where spending can be reduced without compromising essential services.

The minister indicated that while no specific departments have been targeted for job reductions, all ministries have been asked to prepare contingency plans. The province employs approximately 30,000 direct government workers across various departments, not including Crown corporations or health authorities.

Economic headwinds including slower-than-expected growth in key sectors have contributed to the fiscal pressure. Provincial revenue projections for the current fiscal year have been revised downward by 3.2 percent compared to last year’s budget forecast.

Union representatives responded to the announcement Tuesday evening, calling for transparency in the budget process and urging the government to protect front-line service positions. The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union stated it will be monitoring the situation closely when the full budget details are released.

2. Pattullo Bridge Officially Closes After 89 Years of Service

The Pattullo Bridge closed permanently to all traffic Tuesday morning, ending nearly 90 years of service connecting Surrey and New Westminster across the Fraser River. The final vehicle crossed the historic structure at 11:59 p.m. Monday night as crews prepared to redirect traffic to the new replacement bridge.

The original Pattullo Bridge opened in November 1937 and has served as a critical transportation link for the Lower Mainland for nearly nine decades. The structure carried an average of 80,000 vehicles per day in recent years, making it one of the busiest crossings in the region.

TransLink officials confirmed that all traffic has been successfully diverted to the new four-lane bridge, which opened to southbound traffic in phases beginning last month. The new structure features wider lanes, improved safety barriers, and dedicated walking and cycling paths that were not present on the original bridge.

Demolition of the old Pattullo Bridge is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. The provincial government invested $1.4 billion in the replacement project, which began construction in 2020.

Engineers cited structural concerns with the aging bridge as the primary reason for replacement. Regular inspections over the past decade revealed deteriorating concrete and seismic vulnerability that would have required extensive and costly repairs to extend its lifespan.

3. FPX Nickel Project Could Boost Canada’s Nickel Output by 50 Percent

FPX Nickel Corp. announced Tuesday that its proposed Baptiste nickel mine in central British Columbia could increase Canada’s total nickel production by 50 percent once operational. The mining company released updated economic assessments for the project, which is currently in the environmental review stage.

 

The Baptiste deposit, located approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, contains an estimated 2.4 billion tonnes of nickel-iron alloy mineralization. Company officials stated the mine would produce approximately 20,000 tonnes of nickel annually over a projected 30-year mine life.

Canada currently produces roughly 40,000 tonnes of nickel per year from existing operations, primarily in Ontario and Manitoba. The addition of the Baptiste mine would significantly expand domestic production capacity at a time of growing global demand for battery metals used in electric vehicle manufacturing.

The project is undergoing federal and provincial environmental assessments, with public comment periods scheduled throughout 2026. FPX Nickel has engaged with local First Nations communities, including the Nak’azdli Whut’en and Takla Lake First Nation, regarding potential impacts and economic partnership opportunities.

Industry analysts noted that increased domestic nickel production could strengthen Canada’s position in the global battery supply chain. The federal government has identified critical minerals, including nickel, as strategic priorities for economic development and climate transition efforts.

4. Environment Canada Issues Special Weather Statement for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday afternoon warning of potential snowfall across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley starting late Wednesday night. Meteorologists forecast that a low-pressure system moving in from the Pacific could bring 5 to 15 centimetres of snow to lower elevations.

The weather agency stated that snow is expected to begin falling after midnight Wednesday and continue through Thursday morning. Temperatures are forecast to drop to minus 2 degrees Celsius overnight, with the freezing level lowering to sea level by early Thursday.

Officials indicated that the snow may transition to rain by Thursday afternoon as warmer air moves into the region, but not before the morning commute is affected. The City of Vancouver confirmed that snow removal crews will be on standby and major routes will be prioritized for clearing if accumulation reaches 5 centimetres or more.

TransLink advised transit riders to expect potential delays on bus routes and SkyTrain services Thursday morning. The transit authority stated it would deploy additional supervisors to monitor conditions and adjust service as needed.

This weather system marks the third significant winter event for the region this season. Metro Vancouver experienced two previous snowfalls in January that resulted in school closures and transportation disruptions across the Lower Mainland.

5. FIFA World Cup 2026: Vancouver Ticket Presales Face High Demand and Technical Issues

FIFA reported significant technical difficulties during Tuesday’s presale launch for 2026 World Cup matches in Vancouver, as overwhelming demand crashed online ticketing systems for several hours. The presale, available to FIFA members and early registrants, opened at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

Tens of thousands of users attempting to access the ticketing platform encountered error messages and system timeouts throughout the morning. FIFA officials acknowledged the technical problems in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, stating that engineers were working to resolve capacity issues with the online platform.

Vancouver is scheduled to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including five group stage games and two knockout round matches. BC Place Stadium will accommodate approximately 54,000 spectators for each event, making the venue one of the larger host sites in the tournament.

Ticket prices for Vancouver matches range from $175 Canadian for group stage seats to $950 for premium knockout round packages. The presale period is scheduled to run through February 28, with general public sales opening in March 2026.

Tourism officials estimated that the World Cup matches in Vancouver could generate between $450 million and $600 million in economic activity for the region. The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, will take place from June through July 2026.

FIFA stated that despite the technical difficulties, more than 15,000 tickets for Vancouver matches were successfully purchased during the first six hours of the presale period. The organization promised additional server capacity would be added to handle continued demand throughout the remainder of the presale window.