Douglas Elves (b. 1950) is a Canadian poet from Edmonton, Alberta. His main poetry publication is entitled Riverlines: Poems of Time and Place along the North Saskatchewan River (2019). Besides river-themed poems, the book includes many poems written since 1969.
He entered the University of Alberta in 1968 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with courses in Greek, Latin, French and English Literature, augmented later by a Teaching Certificate.
He became active by turns in several community activities, including founding a theatre group, officiating in the labour movement, and participating in the local peace and anti-apartheid movements.
1988 marked his departure from politics and his return to focusing on the writing of poetry. After winning the 1991 Edmonton Journal Literary Contest, Short Poem Category, he convened, with fellow poet Ivan Sundal and others, the founding meeting of the Stroll of Poets event, which took place in October 1991. He chaired subsequent meetings until the creation of the Stroll of Poets Society in 1992. Sundal became president for many years and Elves became Treasurer for seven consecutive years.