Jill McKnight
Jill McKnight | |
|---|---|
 McKnight in 2025 | |
| Minister of Veterans Affairs | |
| Assumed office May 13, 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Carney |
| Preceded by | Élisabeth Brière |
| Associate Minister of National Defence | |
| Assumed office May 13, 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Carney |
| Preceded by | Darren Fisher |
| Member of Parliament for Delta | |
| Assumed office April 28, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Carla Qualtrough |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 31, 1979 (age 46)[citation needed] Delta, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Stephen Smith |
| Residence(s) | Delta, British Columbia, Canada |
| Education | University of Victoria |
| Profession | Executive director, Business owner, politician, |
| Website | jillmcknight |
Jill McKnight PC MP (born May 31, 1979[citation needed]) is a Canadian politician and former business owner who operated two local businesses and served as Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, McKnight was elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Delta in the 2025 Canadian federal election.[1]
Early life
[edit]Jill McKnight was born on May 31, 1979,[citation needed] and raised in Delta, British Columbia, by her parents, Tracey and Bill McKnight. She graduated from South Delta Secondary School and later earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Business from the University of Victoria.
McKnight is married to her husband Stephen Smith and they live in Ladner.
Career
[edit]A lifelong entrepreneur, McKnight grew up in family businesses. For 28 years, Jill and her family were the owners of South Coast Casuals in Ladner, a ladies clothing boutique. For over 20 years, she worked with the Ladner Village Market, bringing together the local producers and makers with customers from all over the Lower Mainland and B.C.. These experiences provided her with invaluable lessons in listening to people, building relationships, and understanding the challenges of entrepreneurship.[2]
Prior to entering federal politics, McKnight was the Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce where she advocated for local businesses and residents.[3] She was appointed to this role following her years of volunteering with the Ladner Business Association, including five years as the President, reflecting her strong ties to the local business community.
She has also been a dedicated community volunteer and advocate, supporting local businesses, organizing large community events, and facilitating collaborative relationships to strength the community. Her fundraising activities have helped raise over $250K for various community causes, including the Ladner Business Association, the Delta Hospital Foundation, the BC Cancer Foundation, and Dress for Success.[4]
In recognition of her outstanding service, McKnight has received several honours, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Queen’s Jubilee Award, and Delta’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award.[5]
Political career
[edit]On May 13, 2025, McKnight was named Minister of Veteran Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence in the 30th Canadian Ministry, headed by Mark Carney.
Awards
[edit]- Delta Volunteer of the Year: Delta Chamber 2019[6]
- Queen's Jubilee Award: Exemplary Community Service 2022[7]
- King Charles III Coronation Medal: Community Leadership 2024[8]
Electoral record
[edit]| 2025 Canadian federal election: Delta | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ** Preliminary results — Not yet official ** | ||||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Liberal | Jill McKnight | 32,305 | 51.09 | +8.55 | ||||
| Conservative | Jessy Sahota | 27,157 | 42.95 | +9.41 | ||||
| New Democratic | Jason McCormick | 3,384 | 5.35 | –13.10 | ||||
| People's | Natasa Sirotic | 390 | 0.62 | –1.86 | ||||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | ||||||||
| Total rejected ballots | ||||||||
| Turnout | 63,236 | 74.25 | ||||||
| Eligible voters | 85,163 | |||||||
| Liberal notional hold | Swing | –0.43 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Canada[9][10] | ||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/jill-mcknight-will-be-deltas-next-liberal-mp-10584529
- ^ "Jill McKnight". jillmcknight.liberal.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "Delta Chamber Appoints Jill McKnight as Incoming Executive Director". Delta Chamber of Commerce - BC. 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ "Get to know Jill McKnight, Liberal candidate for Delta MP". North Delta Reporter. 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Jill McKnight". jillmcknight.liberal.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "Business Excellence Awards". Delta Chamber of Commerce - BC. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Exemplary service to community recognized by Delta MP". Delta Optimist. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Community leaders honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medals". Delta Optimist. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Voter information service". Elections Canada. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". Elections Canada. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
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- Members of the 30th Canadian Ministry
- Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada
- Women government ministers of Canada
- Living people
- Liberal Party of Canada MPs
- 21st-century Canadian women politicians
- 21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada
- Members of the House of Commons of Canada from British Columbia
- Women members of the House of Commons of Canada
- People from Delta, British Columbia
- University of Victoria alumni
- British Columbia MP stubs