Jump to content

Doug Elniski

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Doug Elniski
MLA for Edmonton-Calder
In office
2008–2012
Preceded byDavid Eggen
Succeeded byDavid Eggen
Personal details
Born1960 or 1961 (age 65–66)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
PartyProgressive Conservative
OccupationContractor, consultant, and industrial safety professional

Doug Elniski is a Canadian politician, contractor, consultant, and industrial safety professional who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Calder from 2008 to 2012 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta.

Early life

[edit]

Elniski was born in Edmonton, Alberta.[1]

Prior to being elected, Elniski worked in safety management, resource management, construction, adult education, and business consulting. He is a former volunteer firefighter.

Political career

[edit]
Doug Elniski (left) with Premier Ed Stelmach during the 2008 Alberta provincial election campaign in Alberta, Canada.

Elniski was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 2008 Alberta general election, defeating incumbent New Democratic Party MLA David Eggen by 178 votes in Edmonton-Calder.[2]

Following the 2008 provincial election, Elniski was appointed Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. During his term he also served on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services, and the Special Standing Committee on Private Bills.[3]

During his term, Elniski sponsored Motion 505, urging amendments to the Traffic Safety Act to permit low-speed vehicles on roads with posted speed limits of up to 60 km/h. The motion was adopted by the Legislative Assembly on April 20, 2009.[4]

He also sponsored Bill Pr2, the Caritas Health Group Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, which received third reading in the Legislative Assembly on June 3, 2009.[5]

In June 2009, comments Elniski posted on Twitter received provincial and national media attention.[6][7] Opposition parties criticized the remarks as sexist and offensive.[8] Elniski accepted responsibility for the remarks and issued a public apology, which Premier Ed Stelmach accepted.[9]

During his time in the Legislative Assembly, Elniski was the tallest member of the Legislature, standing 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). Despite his height, he became known for driving a Smart car.[10]

Elniski completed his term as MLA and did not seek re-election in the 2012 Alberta general election.[11] Following his service in the Legislative Assembly, he returned to work as a contractor and consultant.

2008 general election

[edit]
2008 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Calder
Party Candidate Votes%±%
Progressive ConservativeDoug Elniski4,55740.86%7.83%
New DemocraticDavid Eggen4,35639.05%3.05%
LiberalJim Kane1,83916.49%-9.94%
GreenMichael Brown4023.60%–
Total 11,154––
Rejected, spoiled and declined 39––
Eligible electors / turnout 27,42040.82%-8.17%
Progressive Conservative gain from New Democratic Swing -0.59%
Source(s)
Source: "Edmonton-Calder Official Results 2008 Alberta general election". Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Calder". Edmonton Journal.
  2. ↑ "Alberta Votes 2008: Edmonton-Calder". Edmonton Journal. March 3, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Alberta Hansard, April 15, 2008" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
  4. ↑ "Alberta Hansard, April 20, 2009" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
  5. ↑ "Alberta Hansard, June 3, 2009" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
  6. ↑ O'Neill, Katherine (June 23, 2009). "Another Alberta MLA in hot water". The Globe and Mail.
  7. ↑ Thomson, Graham (June 25, 2009). "Doug Elniski puts the twit in Twitter". Edmonton Journal.
  8. ↑ "Tory MLA draws fire for offensive Twitter posts". Calgary Herald. June 23, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Twittering not disciplined". Calgary Herald.
  10. ↑ "Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography".
  11. ↑ Parrish, Julia (January 18, 2012). "Edmonton-Calder MLA will not seek re-election". CTV Edmonton.