Doug Elniski

Doug Elniski is a Canadian politician and was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the constituency of Edmonton-Calder as a Progressive Conservative.

Doug Elniski
MLA for Edmonton-Calder
In office 2008–2012
Preceded by	David Eggen
Succeeded by	David Eggen
Personal details
Born	1960 or 1961 (age 64–65) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Residence(s)	Edmonton, Alberta
Occupation	industrial safety professional

Early life

Elniski was born in Edmonton circa 1961.^[1][2] Prior to being elected, Elniski worked in a variety of fields, including safety management, resource management, construction, adult education, and business consulting. He is the CEO and owner of a residential and land development/rehabilitation company. Elniski is a former volunteer firefighter.

Political career

Elniski's win in Edmonton-Calder represented a gain for the Progressive Conservatives. He won the constituency from first-term NDP MLA David Eggen, in a very tight race edging Eggen out by 178 votes.^[3] Elniski is the fourth MLA to represent Edmonton-Calder, a working class riding, in the last four election cycles.

Elniski would retire from politics prior to the 2012 Alberta general election.^[4]

Political Controversy

In June 2009, Elniski's political career hit a bump in the road when imprudent comments he had posted on the internet site Twitter made national headlines.^[5][6] Opposition parties referred to his online posts regarding women as sexist and offensive.^[7]

Elniski was lucky not to draw the ire of Premier Ed Stelmach who was already trying to quell controversy over ignorant comments made by other party MLAs.^[8]

2008 general election

v t e 2008 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Calder
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Doug Elniski	4,557	40.86%	7.83%
	New Democratic	David Eggen	4,356	39.05%	3.05%
	Liberal	Jim Kane	1,839	16.49%	-9.94%
	Green	Michael Brown	402	3.60%	–
Total			11,154	–	–
Rejected, spoiled and declined			39	–	–
Eligible electors / turnout			27,420	40.82%	-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.

Personal life

Despite being 6'7" and the tallest member of the Alberta Legislature, Elniski used to drive a Daimler AG Smart GmbH, or smart car.^[9] He has recently traded it in for a full-sized truck.