Premier Wab Kinew has extended his condolences to the family, friends and community of Education and Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare.
“Working side by side with Nello to help Manitoba kids was one of the greatest times of my life,” said Kinew. “He had a larger-than-life personality, a huge smile and a love for teaching young people that will never perish. He will be remembered as the education and childhood learning minister that changed the lives of Manitoba students forever – with a universal school food program. We are fortunate that Manitoba is in a better place because of Nello’s passion, Transcona blue-collar work ethic and a deep belief that every child matters.”
Altomare was appointed to the provincial cabinet on the day the government was sworn-in, Oct. 18, 2024. He was first elected as the MLA for Transcona in 2019.
Prior to his election, Altomare was a longtime teacher and principal in the River East School Division. He was beloved by his former students and the teachers he worked with.
Among his many contributions, Altomare oversaw the development and execution of Canada’s first universal school food program, which delivers food to every child in Manitoba’s public schools. The vision for the program was to ensure no child in a Manitoba classroom went hungry and it was a key part of the Manitoba government’s mandate to build an education system where every child is set up for success, the premier added.
To acknowledge Altomare’s contributions, the Manitoba government will be introducing legislation to enshrine the school food program in law so that no future government can eliminate it. The premier noted this will be called ‘Nello’s Law’.
“Family was everything to Nello,” said Kinew. “Our caucus send our love, prayer and thanks to his wife Barb, kids, sisters and family for sharing Nello with us and with Manitoba.”
The flags outside the Legislative Building have been lowered to half-mast in memoriam, the premier noted.
