As the provincial election nears, Martin Morantz, who is running as the PC candidate in River Heights, says constituents are telling him that “it’s time to give someone new a chance to be the MLA for River Heights.”
Morantz, a forty-eight year old lawyer, businessperson and community advocate, said he thinks the winds of change are blowing and believes that “now is an opportunity for the Jewish community to have a representative in a new McFadyen government.” He adds that, “No matter who you have voted for in the past, please consider supporting me this time.”
In an interview with the Winnipeg Jewish review, Morantz said that, “I consider myself as a small conservative – a moderate who believes in maintaining and strengthening social programs.”
After “knocking on thousands of doors in the last two years in River Heights,” and “listening to what people have to say,” Morantz has learned that there are a few major issues that are on people’s minds.
“People want street repair, slower and safer traffic, and young families want more available daycare spots, and feel that there’s an infrastructure deficit—not only our streets, but community centers and many schools are older and in need of upgrades.”
“I’m dedicated to improving a sense of safety on our streets and in our homes, to fixing our crumbling streets and back lanes and re-vitalizing our community centers and parks.”
According to Morantz, a new Progressive Conservative government will address the challenge of an infrastructure deficit.
“A McFadyen government will create a five-year, $375 million Manitoba Strategic Investment Fund that will be used to meet the priorities of local governments across Manitoba, including Winnipeg. This fund will enable us to deal with repair of roads and lanes,” he says.
Regarding daycare “We’d continue the universal child care credit that now ends at age 6 and continue it from ages 7-12.”
In order to encourage people to upgrade their neighborhood, “a McFadyen government will provide a home renovation tax credit.” Additionally, to encourage healthy living, “a McFadyen government will expand the current fitness tax credit to make everyone eligible.”
Morantz says that he believes in “giving back to the community.” He has been a strong supporter of enhancing seniors’ care and providing services to those with special needs.
He and his three siblings dedicated a wing in the Simkin Centre in honour of their father, Saul Morantz. Morantz and his wife Lisa, whose younger son Nathan was born with autism, have set up the Nathan Morantz Fund at the Jewish Foundation to assist in special needs programming in the community. As well, they have also set up the Nathan Morantz Autism Research Fund at Queen’s University to raise funds for research into the causes of autism. Morantz currently serves on the board of the Shalom Residence that provides assisted living in the community for special needs individuals. As well, Morantz is a past board member of MFEAT-Manitoba Families for Effective Autism Treatment. He is also a past member of the Jewish Federation’s allocations committee, where he served for two years.
In the interview, Morantz spoke about travelling with Hugh McFadyen on last fall’s mission to Israel organized by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
“I had the opportunity to get to know Hugh very well and to see Israel. Hugh and I climbed up Massada together and shared many experiences. Hugh’s support and dedication to the State of Israel is very strong.”
I am very excited about the prospects of Manitoba’s special relationship with the State of Israel with Hugh McFadyen as Premier,” Morantz says.
He adds that in the current climate where there are many who attempt to delegitimize the State of Israel, it is important to have an MLA that cares deeply about Israel’s well-being.
“In the face of such things as Israel Apartheid Week, and the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement, I believe it is more important than ever that the Jewish community has a strong voice at all levels of government,” he says.
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