Peterborough KPR Trustee Candidates Jack Henry & Shawna Blackwood Announce Campaign Collaboration & Urger Voters to Use Both Their Votes.
Two candidates for two seats commit to joint canvassing, shared events, and mutual endorsement ahead of October 26 election.
PETERBOROUGH, ON (September 10th 2026) — KPR School Board Trustee candidates Jack Henry and Shawna Blackwood today announced a campaign collaboration, committing to canvas together, attend each other’s events, and publicly support each other’s campaigns ahead of the October 26 municipal election.
With two seats available in the City of Peterborough KPR trustee race, both candidates are encouraging voters to use both of their votes, one for Jack Henry and one for Shawna Blackwood.
“You have two votes in this race and I want every Peterborough voter to know it,” said Henry. “I’ve gotten to know Shawna and I’m confident telling my supporters to use their second vote for her. Two candidates who will show up for Peterborough’s students, that’s what both seats should look like.”
“I’ve had the immense pleasure of meeting and collaborating with Jack,” said Blackwood. “He may not be from Peterborough originally, but it is very clear, this is home to him now! As someone born and raised here, the passion he has for the city and schools is inspiring.”
Henry has been canvassing Peterborough’s neighbourhoods since July and was endorsed by outgoing KPR Trustee Rose Kitney. He is running on a platform of arts education, special education accountability, and financial transparency in KPR’s $552 million operating budget.
Blackwood is rooting her campaign around “Grassroots and going for it”. A graduate of PCVS and Trent University- where she was accepted into the Trent-Queen’s Concurrent Education program- she has a passion for her hometown, and especially for its students and staff educators. Social justice activism is close to her heart and she wants to make sure EVERYONE has a voice within KPR.
Both candidates said their collaboration reflects a shared belief that Peterborough’s public school students deserve trustees who show up, ask hard questions, and fight for what matters.
“I feel that with Jack and myself, voters get the best of both worlds,” said Blackwood, “someone who has grown up in this city, as well as someone who has grown to love it, and both are extremely passionate about schools and education!”
The two candidates will be canvassing Peterborough streets together and hosting campaign events leading up to election day October 26th 2026.
Voters in the City of Peterborough who are designated as English Public school supporters with MPAC are eligible to cast two votes for KPR School Board Trustee. Eligibility can be confirmed at the city website. Online voting opens October 5 at peterboroughvotes.ca.
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About Jack Henry
Jack Henry is a Peterborough-based graphic designer and civic advocate, owner of Loon in the Mist Creative and founder of Peterborough Alto Rail Advocates. He has been endorsed by outgoing KPR Trustee Rose Kitney and is running on arts education, special education accountability, and financial transparency. jackhenryforkpr.ca
About Shawna Blackwood
Shawna Blackwood is a proud Peterborough native, currently working as a chef at The Railyard in East City. She has a background in education, as both a dance teacher and Teaching Assistant at Prince of Wales and PCVS. She wants to ensure that everyone has a voice and marginalized communities are advocated for in the KPR. sblackwood4kpr@gmail.com
Authorized by the official agents of Jack Henry and Shawna Blackwood, candidates for KPR District School Board Trustee, City of Peterborough.