ELECT CANDACE KNOLL TO SCHOOL DISTRICT 43
A Community Champion dedicated to enriching the lives of Students, Teachers, Assistants and Support Staff.
Complexity & Continuity: Supporting Special Education, Staff Recruitment & Retention
Lobby the province to reform funding formulas and secure dedicated funds specifically for complex learning needs, mental health resources, and language supports.
Work to eliminate exhausting waitlists for critical student designations.
Advocate for competitive compensation to recruit and retain essential specialists and support staff
The Circle & Infrastructure: Growth, modernizing schools & expanding capacity for our growing population.
Invest in safe, clean, and modern facilities as the foundation of student achievement.
Campaign to transition SD43 to proactive community planning to end chronic overcrowding and portable over-use.
Align school funding with city infrastructure planning to embed community needs into local growth. Our city plans for growth by mapping out roads, utilities, and parks before the people move in. Our school district must be empowered to do the same.
Community Care & Accountability: Prioritizing mental health, well-being, and safety for staff and students
Look out for the whole child by expanding mental health resources and education for students and educators.
Champion the integration of “Seamless Care” hubs, food security initiatives, utilizing dedicated safe spaces in our buildings, and upgrading traffic safety in high-risk school zones to provide youth safe passage to and from.
Promote building community care by advocating for a balance of classroom technology with healthy cognitive growth and implementing restorative justice practices.
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.
“It is important to create safe learning spaces and build communities where everyone is welcome and can thrive.”
— Candace Knoll, Candidate Coquitlam SD 43 Trustee
Who is Candace Knoll?
Awards and Recognition
Candace’s dedication to her community has been recognized through numerous awards, including:
YWCA Women of Distinction Award Nominee (2026)
Soroptomist International Tri-Cities Ruby Award (2025)
King Charles III Coronation Medal (2024)
United Way Labour Appreciation Community Service Award (2023)
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 27-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 rescued 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 New Westminster & District Labour Council (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, Community Land Trust and Bargaining 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
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email:
Candace Knoll
candace4sd43@candaceknoll.com
Victoria Henshaw, Campaign Manager
campaignmanager@candaceknoll.com
Phone:
604-830-8266