Toronto Daily Digest — Feb. 11, 2026

Jakob Poeltl’s return was bumpy — the Raptors lost 113-95 to the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 11, 2026, and Poeltl, back after missing 24 games with a back problem, finished with nine points and six rebounds in about 20 minutes. Here’s what you need to know: Toronto is 32-23, Poeltl said the back “felt pretty good” but he’s still finding his rhythm, and coach Darko Rajakovic hopes the team will regroup after the All-Star break.

The Pistons dominated at Scotiabank Arena as Detroit beat Toronto 113-95, improving to 40-13 while the Raptors dropped to 32-23. Key details: Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 28 points, Paul Reed had 22, Scottie Barnes had 17 for Toronto, and both clubs head into All-Star weekend with several players and coaches representing their teams.

Heads-up from Guelph police: an unregistered cellphone dialled 911 at least 129 times between 4:40 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, with calls often catching a child’s voice but no emergency. This means old phones can still reach 911 — police advise removing the battery or letting them drain before giving them to kids and to stay on the line if you accidentally call 911.

The Finch West LRT has had a rocky start in winter, dropping to 88% availability in one week though averaging 94% since launch in early December. Metrolinx says problems were driven by freezing switches and severe weather, service is improving (unimpacted days hit about 97%), and operators are getting more comfortable with the system.

A truck driver, Sukhwinder Sidhu, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in the August 2023 crash that killed former Olympian ice dancer Alexandra Paul, 31, and injured her baby. Seven vehicles were involved in the Melancthon Township crash, and Sidhu’s plea was entered in Orangeville court on Feb. 10–11 reporting.

Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer says the province is not currently on a path to balance, forecasting a deficit of $11.1 billion in 2025–26 (and about $11.18 billion in 2026–27) with a lingering $6.3 billion shortfall by 2029–30. The FAO points to slower revenue growth (7.6% average over the past five years versus 2.6% expected), while Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy projects a larger $13.4 billion deficit for 2025–26.

Auto thefts in Canada fell 18% to 46,999 in 2025 (down from 57,359 in 2024 and more than 70,000 in 2023), but insurance losses stayed high at an estimated $900 million and recovery rates remain low at 59% nationally. The report notes Ontario and Quebec recover roughly half of stolen vehicles, Alberta recovers 71%, and authorities warn organised crime still targets cars.

Peel police say Christopher Brito De Araujo, 24, a church youth director from Mississauga, fled to Brazil on Feb. 2 and is wanted on multiple charges including five counts of sexual assault and four counts of sexual exploitation. Investigators allege assaults occurred at a Brampton place of worship and believe there may be more victims — anyone with information is asked to contact police.

A Toronto man, 41-year-old Winardo Winteria Morris, was arrested on Feb. 9 under a Canada-wide warrant and charged with first-degree murder in the May 11, 2024, shooting at Kennedy Road and Stafford Drive in Brampton. Police say the victim was found with gunshot wounds at about 4:18 a.m. and later died at a trauma centre.

Blue Jays pitchers and catchers reported to camp on Wednesday (Feb. 11), though some position players arrived early; seven Jays will play in the World Baseball Classic in March, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dominican Republic) and Kazuma Okamoto (Japan). Notable roster and contract notes: Dylan Cease signed a seven-year US$210-million deal on Dec. 2, Okamoto signed four years for $60 million on Jan. 4, and injuries mean Antony Santander (labrum surgery), Shane Bieber (forearm fatigue) and Bowden Francis (UCL surgery) will miss time.