I had no idea that Dan Manning was Jewish--probably because I didn't think that Manning was a Jewish sounding last name.
"We are the first Jewish Family in Manitoba with the name Manning," Dan Manning told the Winnipeg Jewish Review.
Manning is married to Lisa Fineman and was married by Rosh Pina's Rabbi lander two years after he was converted to Judaism by Rabbi Lander.
"It was important for Lisa and I to have a shared identity. I converted to Judaism and she took my last name," says Manning , who originates from British Columbia and came to Winnipeg to go to law school. The couple have an eight month old son. named Will.
Manning, who works at Brodsky and Company, says that he believes in the NDP becasue "I believe it is the party that best represents families--on issues such as childcare, the medical system, and aging parents." he said that " massive cuts to social spending can do more harm than good."
Manning says that one of the reasons he decided to become a candidate is because of the lack of day care spots in River Heights. He says that thanks to the NDP, the cost of daycare in Manitoba is "quite good" compared to other provinces, but the problem in River Heights is that there simply aren't enough daycare spots.
"The decision on whether a parent stays at home and doesn't work shouldn't be based on whether or not there is available daycare," he says.
"In River Heights a lot fo people hire nannies, but that is an expensive option", which many can't afford. He noted that the NDP has brought in pensions for child care workers "which is a good thing."
"We put our son on a waiting list [for daycare] , even before he was born! "We have anxiety.If we can't get a spot, I don't know what we are going to do. This issue is a concern for a lot of young people in River Heights."
Manning , whos father worked as a soxcial worker, is of the view that the solution to the daycare problem is "educating parents' and "coming together to form co-ops" so that a number of families can share a child care worker.
"More has to be done regarding the lack of day care spots," he says.
Manning says that when he came to Winnipeg ten years ago, "I fell in love with the people" and thiought it was far mor eaffordable to buy a home here than in Vancouver
He also said that he believes that the NDP is the best party to provide solutions for families who have to cope with issues relating to aging parents.