Manitoba byelection called for east Winnipeg’s Transcona riding

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Peggy

A provincial byelection has been called for east Winnipeg’s Transcona riding on March 18.

The Manitoba government made the announcement on Tuesday.

The new Manitoba legislative member will replace the riding’s former MLA Nello Altomare, 61, who died last month. He had been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer in 2019, shortly after being elected to his first term in office.

Altomare became the minister of education and early childhood learning following the NDP’s win in the 2023 election, but he took a medical leave from his role last October. Tracy Schmidt took over his portfolio on an acting basis and was sworn in as the new minister in late January.

Educator Shannon Corbett and union organizer Roque Anonuevo were both vying for the NDP’s nomination in Transcona.

A smiling man in a sweater sits at a desk in an office. — Altomare, seen at the Manitoba Legislature on Jan. 4, 2024, died on Jan. 14, leading to the byelection to fill Transcona seat. (Travis Golby/CBC)

Party members voted on their preferred candidate Monday, but the NDP barred CBC News from entering the nomination meeting, which is traditionally open to the media. Party secretary Evan Krosney said the NDP would reveal who won the nomination on Tuesday.

The Progressive Conservatives are planning to hold a nomination meeting on March 3, a spokesperson confirmed in an email. The nomination deadline for the PCs will close on Thursday.

Former city councillor Shawn Nason announced Feb. 6 he will be seeking the nomination for the PC party.

The Green Party of Manitoba has decided they won’t enter a candidate in the race out of respect for Altomare’s passing, party president and co-deputy leader, Dennis Bayomi, said in an email statement.

Manitoba’s Liberal party has yet to respond to CBC about whether any candidates will run in the race.

The Transcona riding has been around since 1969 and runs between Gunn Road to the north and Fermor Avenue and St. Boniface Road to the south. Its eastern boundary runs along the Perimeter Highway, Murdock Road and Plessis Road, while its western boundary runs along Day Street, Plessis Road and Lagimodière Boulevard.

The riding has been an NDP stronghold for decades, but it’s also been led by the Progressive Conservatives or Liberals.

1969-1986 elections (five general elections): NDP.
1988: Liberal.
1990-2011 (six general elections): NDP.
2011: Daryl Reid (NDP).
2016: Blair Yakimoski (Progressive Conservative).
2019: Nello Altomare (NDP).

There are currently 33 New Democrats, 21 Progressive Conservatives, one independent Liberal, one independent member and one vacant seat in the Manitoba legislature, according to a news release.