Daily Digest — British Columbia (2026-02-17)

Pattullo Bridge closes early after risky climbing — The new stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge between New Westminster and Surrey was closed early on the weekend after people began climbing the arch, with Surrey police called around 5 p.m. and again around 7 p.m.; two climbers were talked down and no one was arrested. The B.C. government cited poor weather and safety concerns (the bridge was originally to close Tuesday), and all four lanes are now open again.

Chilling discovery in Maple Ridge linked to Surrey Six history — Estate documents show Jessica Cunningham, whose body was found in a deep freezer last summer, was married to Cody Rae Haevischer, a former Red Scorpion convicted in the 2007 Surrey Six murders. Forty-eight-year-old Mylie Barron has pleaded guilty to interfering with the remains and remains in custody; Barron faces sentencing on March 5 in Port Coquitlam while the cause of Cunningham’s death is still under investigation.

Bank of Canada freezes XTM payments after tips vanish — The Bank of Canada ordered XTM Inc. to stop retail payment activities amid reports that the AnyDay (Everyday) tip platform stopped paying staff and restaurants are missing funds (Alta Bistro $4,500; The Broken Seal $12,000; Container Brewing $3,100). The order, under the RPAA, blocks transactions from the platform amid concerns XTM didn’t safeguard client funds; XTM CEO Marilyn Schaffer has not responded to inquiries.

Man sentenced to life for killing girlfriend — Everton Downey, 35, was convicted of second-degree murder last August and sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 12 years for the killing of 25-year-old Melissa Blimkie, who was stabbed on Dec. 19, 2021 at Metrotown Mall; he was charged in January 2022. Police called the case a tragic example of intimate partner violence that devastated the North Vancouver community.

Five things about B.C.’s 2026 budget — Finance Minister Brenda Bailey delivered a budget that projects a record $13.3 billion deficit next fiscal year (a 38% jump) while promising deficits will fall over time; the bottom income tax rate rises by 0.54 percentage points (affecting about 60% of filers, average $76 more). The plan expands PST to some professional services, delays several long-term care projects and parts of Burnaby Hospital, and highlights health investments like the first SFU medical students starting this summer.

Shocking daylight attack on an 87-year-old in New Westminster — Surveillance video shows an assailant grab an 87-year-old woman’s necklace and bracelets, knock her down and flee; the woman’s hand needed stitches. Police described the suspect as about 5'11", heavy set (≈260 lbs), in a beige hoodie and surgical mask; anyone with information should call 604-525-5411, file 26-2730.

Tumbler Ridge shooting survivor Paige may return home soon — Nineteen-year-old Paige Hoekstra, shot in the chest and treated in Vancouver, had surgery and doctors now think it’s safe to bring her home, per a Feb. 16 GoFundMe update; logistics are being arranged. Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala remains at BC Children’s Hospital with serious injuries (bullets to head and neck); the Feb. 10 shooting killed eight people, including six students.

What the Jay Treaty means for First Nations travellers — The 1794 Jay Treaty says Indigenous people born in Canada have rights to cross into the U.S. for work, travel or to live, but recent incidents of detentions by ICE have prompted travel advisories. First Nations now advise members to carry documents (status card, passport, long-form birth certificate and, in some cases, a blood-quantum letter), and Indigenous Services Canada recommends also carrying a passport because U.S. officials decide what they accept.

Portables arrive in Tumbler Ridge as safety becomes the top priority — The B.C. government said 14 single-wide portables will begin arriving this week (with double-wide trailers to come) so students don’t return to the secondary school where killings occurred; setup will take several days and classes don’t yet have a restart date. Anita Busch of Victims First urges visible security and trauma counselling so kids and staff feel safe, and the government says counsellors will be available.

B.C. hikes tax rate as budget shows record deficit — Finance Minister Brenda Bailey’s “serious” 2026 budget raises the bottom tax rate by 0.54 percentage points and forecasts a $13.3 billion deficit, while planning to reduce the public sector by about 15,000 full-time positions over three years. Capital spending is being re‑paced (down to $18.7 billion next year) and projects like long-term care homes and Burnaby Hospital phase two are delayed to curb costs.

Provinces face fresh shocks ahead of 2026 budgets — A Desjardins analysis (Randall Bartlett) says provinces are in a mixed spot: better than feared thanks to historical GDP revisions and limited broad tariff damage, but risks remain from U.S. trade tensions (CUSMA review), sectoral tariffs and global oil shifts. Provincial fiscal health will vary — B.C. started the budget season on Feb. 17, while Alberta looks comparatively well positioned after its own cuts.