{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Eric Olauson | image = | caption = | cabinet = | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | profession = | party = Saskatchewan Party | party colour = | honorific_suffix = | assembly = Saskatchewan Legislative | constituency_AM = Saskatoon University | term_start = April 4, 2016 | term_end = September 29, 2020 | predecessor = ''Riding Established'' | successor = Jennifer Bowes | portfolio = | footnotes = | office1 = Saskatoon City Councillor for Ward 8 | constituency1 = Ward 8 | term_start1 = 2012 | term_end1 = 2016 | spouse = | predecessor1 = Glen Penner | successor1 = Sarina Gersher }}
'''Eric Olauson''' is a Canadian politician. A member of the Saskatchewan Party, Olauson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2016 provincial election for the district of Saskatoon University, and served one term before being defeated in the 2020 provincial election. Prior to his time in the Legislature, he was the Ward 8 councillor on Saskatoon City Council from 2012 to 2016.
== Political career ==
=== Saskatoon City Council === Olauson's first bid for a seat on Saskatoon City Council came in a 2011 by-election in Ward 3. A self-described "fiscal and social conservative", he finished last out of seven candidates.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Hutton |first=David |date=2011-09-08 |title=Eric Olauson enters Ward 3 race |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/politics/eric-olauson-enters-ward-3-race |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115170019/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/politics/eric-olauson-enters-ward-3-race |archive-date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=2011 Saskatoon Ward Three By-election Official Results |url=https://www.saskatoon.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-council/elections/2011_ward-3-official-results.pdf |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=City of Saskatoon}}</ref> The following year, he successfully ran for the vacant Ward 8 seat in the 2012 municipal election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-10-20 |title=Saskatoon election results |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article/saskatoon-election-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028094117/https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-election-results-1.1003914 |archive-date=2012-10-28 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=CTV News Saskatoon}}</ref> During the subsequent term, Olauson and Ward 5 councillor Randy Donauer earned reputations as the "fiscal hawks" on city council.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Tank |first=Phil |date=2016-04-06 |title=Olauson reflects on time on council |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/olauson-reflects-on-time-on-council |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407181548/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/olauson-reflects-on-time-on-council |archive-date=2016-04-07 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref> Olauson frequently questioned the costs of proposed projects and argued against increasing regulations. He unsuccessfully proposed ending funding for public art in new infrastructure projects.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Fraser |first=D. C. |date=2016-08-30 |title=Saskatoon MLA removed from committee and social media |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatoon-mla-removed-from-committee-and-social-media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831091827/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatoon-mla-removed-from-committee-and-social-media |archive-date=2016-08-31 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref>
In 2015, Olauson voted against banning corporate and union donations to city council candidates, an independent recommendation that was defeated by a 7–4 count.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quenneville |first=Guy |date=2018-05-22 |title='Large sums of money': Group wants corporate and union donations banned from 2020 city election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/corporate-union-donation-city-election-1.4671588 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522125153/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/corporate-union-donation-city-election-1.4671588 |archive-date=2018-05-22 |access-date=2022-05-22 |work=CBC News}}</ref> In 2016, Olauson drew attention to lax rules around councillors' communications allowances when he charged four football jerseys, at a value of $440, against the allowance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tank |first=Phil |date=2016-11-21 |title=Election suggests allowance gave incumbents a big edge |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/phil-tank-election-suggests-allowance-gave-incumbents-a-big-edge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122203840/https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/phil-tank-election-suggests-allowance-gave-incumbents-a-big-edge |archive-date=2016-11-22 |access-date=2017-01-30 |newspaper=Saskatoon StarPhoenix |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2016, before the end of his term, Olauson became the Saskatchewan Party candidate for the newly established district of Saskatoon University ahead of the 2016 provincial election. When Olauson was elected, he resigned as city councillor.<ref name=":1" />
=== Saskatchewan Party MLA === Olauson was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) by a margin of 348 votes over the New Democratic Party's (NDP) Jennifer Bowes, making it one of the closest races in the election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cowan |first=Micki |date=2016-04-05 |title=Saskatchewan election: Big wins and losses |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-election-big-wins-losses-1.3520789 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406021445/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-election-big-wins-losses-1.3520789 |archive-date=2016-04-06 |access-date=2016-04-05 |work=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ellis |first=Brendan |date=2020-10-26 |title=10 Sask. constituencies to watch on election night |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/article/10-sask-constituencies-to-watch-on-election-night/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027050248/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/10-sask-constituencies-to-watch-on-election-night-1.5159691 |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=CTV News Regina}}</ref> Olauson was a backbencher serving on a number of caucus committees, including the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice, the Caucus Management Committee, and the Private Bills House Committee.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Shield |first=David |date=2016-08-31 |title=MLA Eric Olauson removed from committee position after 'liking' social media post, NDP calls for resignation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/eric-olauson-social-post-1.3742806 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902094317/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/eric-olauson-social-post-1.3742806 |archive-date=2016-09-02 |access-date=2017-01-02 |work=CBC News}}</ref> Olauson also spent time as chair of the Saskatchewan Party caucus.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=MacPherson |first=Alex |date=2019-04-11 |title=Sask. Party caucus told to avoid commenting on Ottenbreit's pro-life views |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/sask-party-caucus-told-to-avoid-commenting-on-ottenbreits-pro-life-views/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413040812/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/sask-party-caucus-told-to-avoid-commenting-on-ottenbreits-pro-life-views/ |archive-date=2019-04-13 |access-date=2020-03-27 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref>
In 2017, Olauson participated in anti-abortion March for Life protests in Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conlon |first=Mickey |date=2017-05-12 |title=Saskatchewan pro-lifers bring their message to legislature |url=https://www.catholicregister.org/item/25155-saskatchewan-pro-lifers-bring-their-message-to-legislature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512203539/https://www.catholicregister.org/item/25155-saskatchewan-pro-lifers-bring-their-message-to-legislature |archive-date=2017-05-12 |access-date=2021-01-05 |website=Catholic Register |language=en-gb}}</ref> In 2019, as caucus chair, Olauson ordered caucus members not to post on social media or talk with media about caucus member Greg Ottenbreit's anti-abortion views after Ottenbreit delivered a speech promising to fight to block abortion access.<ref name=":4" />
Olauson stood for re-election in 2020. He was defeated by Bowes in a re-match of the 2016 race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tank |first=Phil |date=2020-10-30 |title=Olauson concedes loss in Saskatoon University race in Facebook post |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/politics/sask-election/olauson-concedes-loss-in-saskatoon-university-race-in-facebook-post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101092907/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/politics/sask-election/olauson-concedes-loss-in-saskatoon-university-race-in-facebook-post |archive-date=2020-11-01 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref>
=== Failed school trustee bid === In 2024, Olauson stood for election as a trustee for the Separate (Catholic) school board. Olauson was endorsed by the anti-abortion Campaign Life Coalition as a "pro-life, pro-family" option.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunnarson |first=Jeff |date=2024-11-14 |title=Update: More Endorsed Candidates |url=https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/clc-blog/id/420/title/vote-pro-life-pro-family-in-saskatoon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115164930/https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/clc-blog/id/420/title/vote-pro-life-pro-family-in-saskatoon |archive-date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Campaign Life Coalition}}</ref> Olauson's bid was unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-14 |title=New faces abound on Saskatoon Public Schools board |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/school-board-results-saskatoon-elxn-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115164446/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/school-board-results-saskatoon-elxn-2024 |archive-date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2024-11-15 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref>
==Controversies== It was revealed during the 2016 provincial election campaign that Olauson had two convictions for impaired driving from 1992 and 1993, which were not disclosed during his time as a city councilor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Andrea |last2=Warick |first2=Jason |date=2016-03-14 |title=Wall defends three Sask Party candidates with DUI charges |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/wall-defends-three-sask-party-candidates-with-dui-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314191452/https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/wall-defends-three-sask-party-candidates-with-dui-charges |archive-date=2016-03-14 |access-date=2016-03-14 |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref>
Olauson drew controversy in the summer of 2016, months after being elected MLA, for social media posts. This included liking a meme about "slapping the shit" out of Justin Trudeau supporters and liking pages called "Boobszone" and "Cold Dead Hands", the latter an American gun rights page. While the Opposition NDP called for his resignation, Olauson was ordered by the Saskatchewan Party to stay off of social media and was removed from one of his committee seats.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
In 2017, Olauson was directed to apologize after ordering a background check and promising an "epic" reply to a constituent who had written to voice concerns regarding provincial budget cuts to libraries and municipal grants. Olauson accidentally used the 'reply all' function, which meant the constituent received the message intended only for Olauson's constituency assistant. In addition to the apology, Olauson was removed from the board of the Meewasin Valley Authority.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2017-04-11 |title='I mistyped': Saskatoon MLA Eric Olauson regrets ordering background check on constituent |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/eric-olauson-email-background-check-1.4065991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413234729/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/eric-olauson-email-background-check-1.4065991 |archive-date=2017-04-13 |access-date=2017-04-13 |work=CBC News}}</ref> Olauson claimed to have "mistyped" in his response.<ref name=":5" />
== Personal life == Olauson was born and raised in Saskatoon. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an information technology manager. Olauson has been married twice and divorced twice and has two biological children with his first wife.<ref name=":0" />
==Electoral results== {{Canadian election result/top|SK|2020|Saskatoon University (provincial electoral district)|Saskatoon University|percent=yes|prelim=no}} {{CANelec|SK|NDP|Jennifer Bowes|3,225|52.97}} {{CANelec|SK|Saskatchewan|Eric Olauson|2,730|44.84}} {{CANelec|SK|Green|Erickka Patmore|133|2.19}} {{Canadian election result/total|Total|6,088|100.0}} {{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Saskatchewan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/upload/2020-Statement-of-Votes-Volume-1-web-viewing.pdf |title=A Report on the Twenty-Ninth General Election, Volume I: Statement of Votes |publisher=Elections Saskatchewan|date=2021-06-30|access-date=2024-10-28}}</ref>}} {{end}}
{{Canadian election result/top|SK|2016|Saskatoon University (provincial electoral district)|Saskatoon University|percent=yes|prelim=no}} {{CANelec|SK|Saskatchewan|Eric Olauson|3,080|48.03}} {{CANelec|SK|NDP|Jennifer Bowes|2,732|42.61}} {{CANelec|SK|Liberal|Ezaz Jaseem|370|5.77}} {{CANelec|SK|Green|Garnet Hall|129|2.01}} {{CANelec|SK|PC|Rose Buscholl|101|1.58}} {{Canadian election result/total|Total|6,412|100.0}} {{CANelec/source|Source: [https://www.saskarchives.com/sites/default/files/pdf/2019_elections_results_by_electoral_division.pdf Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division]; Elections Saskatchewan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.sk.ca/|title=2016 General Election Results|publisher=Elections Saskatchewan|date=4 April 2016|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>}} {{end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olauson, Eric}} Category:Living people Category:Saskatchewan Party MLAs Category:Saskatoon city councillors Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Category:Year of birth missing (living people)