ELECT CANDACE KNOLL

A Community Champion dedicated to enriching the lives of Students, Teachers, Assistants and Support Staff in School District 43.

Who is Candace Knoll?

Awards and Recognition

Candace’s dedication to her community has been recognized through numerous awards, including:

  • King Charles III Coronation Medal (2024)

  • BCLC Community Award (2023)

  • United Way Volunteer Spotlight (2023)

  • Labour Day Elsie Award (2020)

  • TELUS Community Champion (2019)

These honors reflect her unwavering commitment to service, advocacy, and building a strong, supportive community.

A 26-year resident of Coquitlam. 
Candace is 6th Generation Canadian of mixed heritage predominantly black with Indigenous (Mohawk) ancestry. She has been with her husband Jeff for 35 years.  They have 1 son, Jesse and 2 very spoiled tuxedo cats, Porkchop and Douglas, who were recused when only a few days old.

Employed 28 Years with TELUS. 
Candace achieved the Community Champion, Leading Star, Shooting Star, and Customer 1st Champion, TELUS Awards. She took part in World Mental Health Days at the TELUS worksite, brought the United Way Period promise initiative to the workplace, and volunteered for Pink Shirt Day with proceeds going to the Amanda Todd Legacy.

United Steelworkers (USW) member.
As a member of USW Local 1944 Unit 51, Candace held many positions throughout her union career. She is a former Unit Chair, Chair of Local’s National Civil and Human Rights Committee, a member of USW National Anti-Racism Committee, and a Member of the Local 1944 Bargaining Committee for the 2017 and 2023 Collective Agreements.  Candace represented the USW on the NWDLC Executive Board.

A Life member of International Training in Communication (ITC), formerly International Toastmistress Clubs.
She is as a Pacific Northwest Region Past President and in 2013 she placed 3rd in the International Speech Competition.  Candace is a level 3 Skilled Communicator (SC), and a Certified Trainer of the POWERtalk Public Speaking, “Short Course”. She is certified in basic Parliamentary Procedures.

Director for Hogan’s Alley Society. 
Candace is serving her 2nd term on the Board of Directors. She sits on the Governance and Community Land Trust Committees.

Founder and President of the Jr Black Achievement Awards (JrBAA) Society (2022).
JrBAA is a non profit society empowering Black Youth and their families through training recognition and access to education. In November 2024 Candace was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contribution to her community and country.

Visit www.jrbaa.org to learn more about the Society’s educations, community initiatives, and scholarship programs.

King Charles III Coronation Medal 2024

Supporting education and innovation.

Coquitlam offers a variety of diverse programs and environments that recognizes individual learning needs. The flexibility of these programs affords the opportunity to increase the overall academic success rate for the community. Education is a fundamental human right and Candace will continue to advocate for the inclusion of education for all.

Building Inclusive School Communities

Candace will advocate to ensure access to education for everyone by working to provide the resources necessary to implement safe and sustainable programs that meet a variety of individual needs and to discover ways to provide opportunities to overcome limitations and challenges.

Recognizing and promoting cultural education, the celebration of diversity and individuality to create communities where all feel welcomed and hold a sense of belonging solidifies her determination to building inclusive communities.

Continuing Education and Support for Teachers

Candace’s desire is to accelerate initiatives that address the needs of teachers and their student communities by supporting professional development, curriculum enhancements and extra curricular activities. Addressing the teachers, teacher assistants, support staff shortages, classroom sizes, and overcrowding, can afford teachers the opportunity to make their classrooms engaging and successful, increasing the academic success rate in our school district.

Support for Youth, Family, and Communities

We need to ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning. This includes mental health support, and managing study loads. It also supports a zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, peer pressure or stereotyping behaviours. Offering quality breakfast and lunch programs, as well as promoting and supporting food security initiatives in the schools promotes education, nutrition and will help some families with the rising costs of food. The consideration of before and afterschool care programs can fulfill needs while providing the community valuable social and development skills that encourage a sense of well-being and hold a sense of belonging.

“It is important to create safe learning spaces and build communities where everyone is welcome.”

— Candace Knoll, Candidate Coquitlam SD 43 Trustee

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
candace4sd43@candaceknoll.com

Phone
604-830-8266