Toronto Bureau: Top 5 Morning Stories – Feb 20, 2026

Good morning, Toronto. Here’s what you need to know today, February 20, 2026.

Ontario Ends Tuition Freeze, Boosts Post-Secondary Funding

The Ontario government announced Thursday it will end the post-secondary tuition freeze that has been in place since 2019, while simultaneously increasing operational funding for colleges and universities across the province.

The decision marks a significant shift in provincial education policy. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, institutions will be permitted to increase domestic tuition by up to 3% annually, tied to the Consumer Price Index. The freeze, initially implemented as a cost-saving measure for students, had left many institutions struggling with budget shortfalls and deferred maintenance.

Alongside the tuition changes, the province committed to a $1.2 billion increase in base funding over the next three years. The funding boost aims to address infrastructure needs, support program expansion in high-demand fields like nursing and technology, and improve student services across campuses.

“Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are the backbone of our knowledge economy,” said Education Minister Sarah Chen at a morning press conference. “This balanced approach ensures students have access to quality education while giving institutions the resources they need to deliver it.”

Student advocacy groups expressed mixed reactions. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario called the tuition increase “a step backward for accessibility,” while acknowledging the funding boost could improve program quality and campus resources. University administrators largely welcomed the announcement, noting that years of frozen tuition combined with inflation had created significant operational challenges.

The University of Toronto indicated it would use additional revenue to hire more faculty and expand mental health services. Ryerson University announced plans to accelerate renovations to aging buildings and invest in new lab equipment for science programs.

TSB Updates Pearson Crash Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released new details Thursday regarding its ongoing investigation into the Delta Air Lines crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport that occurred on February 3, 2026.

The update confirms that flight DL4392, operating from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, experienced a landing gear malfunction during its approach to Pearson’s Runway 23. The Airbus A220 aircraft made an emergency landing, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft’s undercarriage and minor injuries to three passengers.

According to the TSB’s preliminary findings, cockpit voice recorder data indicates the crew received a landing gear warning approximately eight minutes before touchdown. The pilots followed standard emergency procedures, declaring an emergency and coordinating with air traffic control to prepare for the abnormal landing.

Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight data recorder and are conducting a detailed examination of the landing gear hydraulic system. Early analysis suggests a possible hydraulic pressure loss, though the root cause remains under investigation.

“We’re examining maintenance records, component history, and similar incidents involving this aircraft type,” said TSB investigator Mark Thompson. “Our goal is to understand not just what happened, but why it happened, so we can prevent future occurrences.”

The incident prompted a temporary closure of Runway 23 for debris removal and surface inspection, causing delays that rippled through Pearson’s operations for several hours. Delta Air Lines has cooperated fully with the investigation and temporarily grounded its A220 fleet for precautionary inspections before returning the aircraft to service.

No timeline has been provided for the final report, which typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete.

Metrolinx Releases Union Station Derailment Findings

Metrolinx shared preliminary findings Thursday on the February 12 train derailment at Union Station that disrupted GO Transit service and affected thousands of commuters during the morning rush.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 AM when an inbound Lakeshore West train experienced a minor derailment while entering Track 8. No passengers were injured, but the derailment damaged approximately 30 meters of track and caused significant delays across multiple GO Transit lines.

According to Metrolinx’s initial investigation, the derailment resulted from a track switch failure. The switch, which guides trains from one track to another, failed to properly align, causing two of the train’s rear wheels to leave the rails.

“Our preliminary assessment indicates that a combination of factors contributed to the switch malfunction,” said Metrolinx Chief Operating Officer James Martinez. “We’re examining track maintenance schedules, switch component age, and environmental conditions at the time of the incident.”

The affected track switch was installed in 2018 and had undergone routine maintenance in December 2025. Investigators are reviewing maintenance logs and conducting metallurgical analysis on switch components to determine if material fatigue played a role.

Metrolinx has implemented additional safety measures, including enhanced pre-service inspections of critical switches at Union Station and increased monitoring of switch performance during operations. The transit agency is also accelerating plans to upgrade aging infrastructure at Union Station, Canada’s busiest transportation hub.

Full service on Track 8 resumed on February 17 after repairs were completed and safety inspections confirmed the track’s integrity. A comprehensive report is expected within 60 days.

Sarault Claims Bronze at Winter Olympics

Canadian short-track speed skater Courtney Sarault captured bronze in the women’s 500m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway, adding to Canada’s medal count and cementing her status as one of the country’s premier short-track athletes.

Sarault, 27, crossed the finish line in 42.534 seconds during Thursday’s final, securing third place behind South Korea’s Choi Min-jeong and China’s Fan Kexin. The result marks Sarault’s second Olympic medal, following her gold medal performance in the 3000m relay at the 2022 Beijing Games.

“This bronze means everything,” Sarault said in a post-race interview. “The 500m is such a technical race, and to execute at this level on the Olympic stage is what I’ve trained for my entire career.”

The Moncton, New Brunswick native advanced through a competitive field that included world record holders and defending champions. Her semifinal time of 42.681 seconds secured her position in the A final, where she executed a strategic race, maintaining position and capitalizing on competitors’ errors in the final laps.

Speed Skating Canada praised Sarault’s performance as a testament to the depth of Canada’s short-track program. She remains in contention for additional medals in the 1000m event and relay competitions scheduled for later in the Games.

Canada currently sits seventh in the overall Olympic medal standings with four gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.

Toronto Tourism Hits Record High in 2025

Toronto’s tourism sector achieved record-breaking numbers in 2025, according to data released Thursday by Tourism Toronto, signaling a robust recovery and growth trajectory that’s energizing the local economy.

The city welcomed 29.8 million visitors in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 28.1 million set in 2019 before the pandemic. Total tourism spending reached $10.4 billion, a 14% increase over 2024 and exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 8%.

International visitation showed particularly strong growth, with U.S. visitors increasing 22% and overseas markets recovering to 95% of 2019 levels. The return of major conferences, sporting events, and cultural festivals contributed significantly to the surge.

“These numbers validate Toronto’s position as a world-class destination,” said Tourism Toronto CEO Andrew Weir. “Our diverse attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and major events continue to draw visitors from around the globe.”

The hotel sector reported average occupancy rates of 76% for 2025, with downtown core properties seeing occupancy above 80% during peak months. Hotel revenues increased 18% year-over-year, providing a substantial boost to the city’s tax base through hotel taxes.

The hospitality and food service sectors added approximately 12,000 jobs in 2025, with unemployment in tourism-related industries falling to 4.2%, below the city’s overall unemployment rate of 5.1%.

Major attractions reported strong attendance gains. The CN Tower welcomed 1.9 million visitors, the Royal Ontario Museum saw attendance rise 16%, and the Toronto International Film Festival drew record crowds in September.

Looking ahead, Tourism Toronto projects continued growth in 2026, with several major international conferences already booked and the city’s infrastructure improvements enhancing visitor experiences.

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