A longtime Coquitlam resident, union leader and former School District 43 (SD43) parent is the first candidate out of the gate for the trustee byelection.
Today, Dec. 11, Candace Knoll told the Tri-City News she’s putting her name forward to run for the board of education seat left vacant by Jennifer Blatherwick, following her win last month as Coquitlam–Maillardville’s new MLA.
A past Montessori PAC parent at Harbour View Elementary in Coquitlam, Knoll said she regularly attends SD43 board meetings and is eager to support programs that help SD43 students, teachers, assistants and staff in the Tri-Cities.
This includes lobbying for the rebuild of Hazel Trembath Elementary in Port Coquitlam, which burned down in October 2023, and for more schools around the district.
As well, she’s in favour of inclusive school communities “to ensure access to education and support for all,” she wrote in a news release.
Knoll is a past president of the Northwest Region of International Training in Communications; founder and president of the Junior Black Achievement Awards Society; past chairperson of the United Steelworkers Local 1944, Unit 51; a bargaining committee member; and a past executive board member of the New Westminster District and Labour Council.
Last month, Port Moody–Coquitlam MP Bonita Zarrillo decorated Knoll with a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to the community and country.
Information about Candace Knoll’s campaign can be found on her website, and Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
Coquitlam voters head to the polls on Feb. 22, 2025, for the school byelection, which will be run by the City of Coquitlam.
The municipality has budgeted $350,000 for the byelection; it will be reimbursed by the school district.
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