Montreal Morning Brief: February 21, 2026

Good morning, Montreal. Pour yourself another coffee, we've got a lot to unpack this Saturday, February 21st. From government scandals to hockey heartwarming moments, plus some major developments affecting how we live and move around this city. Let's dive in.

SAAQclic Scandal: Years of Misleading the Government

The big story breaking this morning is explosive. A commission report released yesterday reveals that management at the SAAQclic project systematically misled the Quebec government for years about the portal's rollout timeline and functionality.

For those who've been following this saga, SAAQclic was supposed to revolutionize how Quebecers interact with vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and other SAAQ services. Instead, it's become a cautionary tale about tech project management and government oversight.

The report details how project managers repeatedly provided overly optimistic timelines while hiding critical technical issues from oversight committees. We're talking about millions in taxpayer dollars and countless hours of wasted effort. The commission found evidence of internal emails showing staff were aware of major problems but chose to paint a rosier picture in official reports.

Transport Minister officials are calling for a complete review of project management protocols across all government digital initiatives. This could have ripple effects for other major tech projects in the pipeline, including the long-discussed metro expansion automation systems.

What does this mean for regular folks? Well, if you've been frustrated with the clunky SAAQ website or waiting forever for license renewals, now you know why the "improvements" never seemed to materialize.

Habs in the Community: Veleno's School Visit

On a much lighter note, the Montreal Canadiens are reminding us why hockey is about more than just wins and losses. Joe Veleno made a surprise visit yesterday to his old elementary school in Kirkland, spending the afternoon with students and sharing his journey from local kid to NHL player.

Teachers at the school said the kids were absolutely buzzing. Veleno didn't just show up for photos: he sat in on classes, played floor hockey during gym, and talked candidly about the importance of education even while pursuing athletic dreams. "Not every kid makes it to the NHL," Veleno told the grade six class, "but every kid needs to finish school."

It's exactly the kind of grounded approach we need from professional athletes, especially with youth hockey participation rates climbing back after pandemic drops.

Meanwhile, there's news on the ice too. Arber Xhekaj's role with the team continues to evolve. The big defenseman has been logging more minutes recently, and coaching staff are giving him more power-play opportunities. His physicality combined with improving puck-moving skills has fans excited about his long-term potential with the organization.

The Habs sit in a tough spot standings-wise this late in February, but these community connections and player development stories give us something to feel good about regardless of playoff chances.

Downtown Is Coming Back to Life

Here's some genuinely great news: Montreal's downtown core is experiencing a renaissance. New numbers show record attendance at recent festivals and cultural events, while commercial real estate investment has jumped significantly compared to this time last year.

The turnaround is remarkable when you consider where we were just a couple years ago. Empty office towers, shuttered restaurants, and streets that felt eerily quiet even on weekends. Now? Downtown is buzzing again.

Festival organizers for last weekend's winter celebration reported attendance numbers that exceeded pre-pandemic levels. New restaurants are opening in the old financial district. Residential conversion projects are turning unused office space into apartments and condos, bringing actual residents into a neighborhood that used to empty out at 5 PM.

Business owners credit several factors: hybrid work schedules have stabilized (people know when they need to be downtown now), improved public transit connections, and the city's decision to make several key streets pedestrian-friendly during peak hours.

Real estate analysts say the momentum should continue through spring and summer, with several major developments set to break ground in the coming months.

Tragedy in the Outaouais: Ski Lift Safety Under Scrutiny

The province is grappling with heartbreak after a young girl died in a ski lift accident at a resort in the Outaouais region. The incident, which occurred Thursday afternoon, has sparked immediate calls for enhanced safety protocols and inspections across Quebec's ski industry.

Details are still emerging, and authorities are conducting a full investigation into what went wrong. Resort operations have been temporarily suspended pending the investigation's findings.

Provincial tourism officials announced they're launching a comprehensive review of ski lift safety standards at all Quebec resorts. This includes examining inspection frequency, operator training requirements, and emergency response protocols.

The ski industry association released a statement expressing condolences and pledging full cooperation with investigators. They've also committed to an industry-wide safety summit in early March to review best practices and identify any gaps in current procedures.

For families planning March break ski trips, this tragedy serves as a sobering reminder to ask questions about safety procedures at any resort you're visiting. Reputable operations should be transparent about their inspection schedules and safety records.

Arts and Community: Culture Meets Crisis

On a more hopeful note, Montreal's community spirit is on full display with a new art exhibit opening downtown today that showcases local artists while also serving a broader social purpose.

The "Voices of the Village" exhibit at the Quartier des Spectacles features works from over 40 Montreal artists, with proceeds supporting expanded food security programs across the city. It's art that matters, created by artists who live here and care about the community they're serving.

The timing couldn't be better. Community organizations report that food bank usage remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, with inflation continuing to squeeze family budgets. These new programs aim to fill gaps in the existing support network, particularly for working families who don't qualify for traditional assistance but are still struggling.

What makes this initiative stand out is its sustainability model. Rather than one-time donations, the program is structured to provide ongoing support through community partnerships with local grocers, farmers, and food producers.

Several restaurants in the Plateau and Mile End neighborhoods have also signed on, committing to provide prepared meals to families in need. It's the kind of grassroots organizing that Montreal does better than maybe anywhere else.

Around Town: Quick Hits

Ice Breaking Operations: The Canadian Coast Guard kicked off spring icebreaking operations on the St. Lawrence River this morning. If you're near the water between Montreal and Quebec City, you'll hear loud engines from the hovercrafts working to prevent ice blockages. Important reminder: stay off the ice entirely: moving ice and vessel activity create serious safety hazards.

Airport Delays Continue: Montreal-Trudeau is dealing with another rough day, recording 58 delays as part of Canada's ongoing aviation crisis (we're on Day 51, folks). Air Canada's customer service agent strike deadline is February 28: just seven days away: which could make March Break travel a nightmare for three million Canadians. Book refundable fares if you can.

Homeless Encampment Policy: The city announced a new approach yesterday, creating "tolerance zones" on city-owned land where encampments meeting safety standards would be permitted. It's a controversial shift that recognizes the reality on the ground while trying to balance safety and dignity for Montreal's most vulnerable residents.

CF Montreal Tonight: Our soccer squad hosts San Diego FC this evening at 7:30 PM. After a tough stretch, the team is looking to bounce back at home.

The Bottom Line

It's a Saturday that captures Montreal in all its complexity: government accountability failures alongside community success stories, personal tragedies prompting systemic reviews, and a downtown that's finding its groove again.

The SAAQclic scandal reminds us that transparency matters, especially when public money is involved. The ski lift tragedy will hopefully lead to safer experiences for everyone hitting the slopes. And the downtown revitalization shows what's possible when investment, planning, and public enthusiasm align.

Stay warm out there, Montreal. Spring icebreaking operations mean we're inching closer to warmer weather, even if it doesn't feel like it this morning.

That's your Montreal Morning Brief for Saturday, February 21, 2026. We'll be back tomorrow morning with fresh news and updates from around the city.