Manitoba Minute: Immigration Numbers, Hypothetical Discussions, and Remembering Nello Altomare

Manitoba Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Manitoba politics.

This Week In Manitoba:

• The federal government is halving Manitoba's provincial nominee program quota for 2025, reducing it to 4,750 slots from last year’s 9,500. This decision has drawn criticism from Manitoba's Immigration Minister, Malaya Marcelino, who argues it will worsen labour shortages and hurt local businesses that depend on skilled workers. The cut is part of Ottawa's broader effort to lower immigration numbers nationwide to address housing pressures, mainly in larger cities. Marcelino contends that Manitoba, which relies heavily on the program for population growth, is being unfairly impacted as its housing market differs from urban centers like Toronto or Vancouver.
  
  
• Manitoba's Finance Minister says he won’t engage in hypothetical discussions about the potential economic impact of US tariffs on hydroelectric exports. Incoming US President Donald Trump is threatening 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, which could affect one of Manitoba's key exports. Opposition members criticized the government for lacking a clear plan, urging the Province to consider retaliatory measures like Quebec’s stance on hydro exports.
  
  
• The Mountain View School Division will be including God Save the King in morning announcements alongside O Canada and land acknowledgments, and some are concerned about the impact on reconciliation efforts. Critics, including the Manitoba Teachers' Society, questioned the timing and necessity of reviving this tradition, which had fallen out of practice despite still being a provincial regulation. Premier Wab Kinew has acknowledged the Board's autonomy but indicated his government may review the regulation.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba's Education Minister, Nello Altomare, has passed away at 61 after battling cancer. He was known for his dedication to education, particularly for introducing a universal school food program. Altomare, a former school principal and MLA for Transcona, is being remembered for his passion for public education, directness, and sense of humor. His colleagues and peers across party lines, including Premier Wab Kinew, described him as a larger-than-life figure whose legacy will endure.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew welcomed a child from Gaza who arrived in Manitoba for medical treatment that is unavailable in their home country due to the ongoing conflict. The initiative was made possible through collaboration with Doctors Without Borders and volunteer pediatric surgeon Dr. Melanie Morris. The Manitoba Islamic Association and local volunteers are assisting the family with support and fundraising.
  
  
• A blizzard warning led to the cancellation of schools and bus services across multiple districts, especially in the Red River Valley, Interlake, and areas east of the Manitoba escarpment. The storm also prompted authorities to advise against highway travel. Several school divisions, including Brandon, Fort La Bosse, and Red River Valley, closed their schools and suspended bus services. The severe weather conditions caused disruptions, with multiple reports of vehicle collisions.