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.