Tracy Schmidt named acting Manitoba education minister as Nello Altomare temporarily steps aside

MLA Nello Altomare is temporarily stepping down from his post as Manitoba's minister of education and early childhood learning for medical reasons, the province says.

Tracy Schmidt will replace Altomare as acting minister while continuing her role as environment and climate change minister, the province said in a news release Tuesday.

"I am proud and honoured to be given the role and to continue the great role minister Altomare and our government has been doing on the education and early childhood learning file," Schmidt told reporters at the Manitoba Legislature.

"The minister will be returning in short order after dealing with a personal medical issue. What I understand, it should be a matter of weeks."

Altomare, a retired school principal, was first elected as Transcona's MLA in September 2019.

Shortly after being elected for his first term, he was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer.

Altomare was re-elected in last year's provincial election and appointed education minister.

"I look forward to Minister Altomare's return, and in the meantime, Manitoba parents can trust our government to continue investing in schools and kids' futures," Premier Wab Kinew said in a news release on Tuesday.