Premier's former spokesperson wants to run against Liberal Leader Susan Holt
Nicolle Carlin sets sights on Fredericton South-Silverwood
Nicolle Carlin, who has worked as spokesperson for Premier Blaine Higgs since 2018, has announced she is seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination in Fredericton South-Silverwood.
It's the same riding where Liberal Leader Susan Holt plans to run in the next election, which is scheduled for October.
Carlin said she resigned from her job as deputy minister of strategic initiatives and communications on Monday to campaign full time.
"I've been very fortunate. I do have a strong voice at the table and the premier's put a lot of faith in me and he's allowed me to be vocal," Carlin said in an interview with Radio-Canada.
"I loved serving in my job, but this is completely different. When you have people you are speaking for, when you are taking their issues to heart, when you're advocating for them, that's a completely different responsibility."
Carlin said she wasn't recruited by the PC Party and the decision to run was hers alone.
Stands with Higgs on Policy 713
Carlin has previously been a municipal councillor in Hanwell and worked as a reporter for both CTV Atlantic and CBC New Brunswick.
When asked, she said she stands with Higgs on the issue of Policy 713, the gender-identity school policy his government changed last summer.
The revised Policy 713 requires that school staff obtain parental consent before letting a student under 16 adopt a new name or pronoun that reflects their gender identity.
"I do stand with the premier on 713, and I don't think that there is a line between being progressive and supporting the role that parents play," Carlin said.
Liberal
Leader Susan Holt, shown here at the recent Liberal nomination meeting
for Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, is running for a seat in Fredericton
South-Silverwood. (Sam Farley/CBC News)
She said children should feel welcome in their schools and classrooms, but parents should be involved with elementary-aged kids transitioning and using a different name and pronouns.
"I'm very progressive. I'm a progressive in my views, I'm a Progressive Conservative and I stand with the premier on that issue, 100 per cent," Carlin said.
In an emailed statement, Liberal Leader Susan Holt said she welcomes Carlin to the race.
"Glad to see that PCs have found a candidate to make this a good race, which is critical to a strong democracy," Holt said.
"I look forward to seeing Nicolle at the doors and engaging in meaningful discussions about the most important issues to the people of Fredericton South-Silverwood."
Holt won a seat in a 2023 byelection in the riding of Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore, but has chosen to run in a Fredericton riding come October. The Liberal leader lives in the city of Fredericton.
Simon Ouellette is the Green Party candidate for the riding. (Radio-Canada)
The Green Party's candidate for the riding, Simon Ouellette, also welcomed Carlin to the race in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"I'm looking forward to a fair and competitive race focused on good ideas and honest politics. I hope to see Nicolle at local debates, where we can share our different visions for the future of our province," Ouellette said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Alix Villeneuve
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All Comments
Comment by Matt Steele.
Certainly a good choice by Carlin as apparently the Liberals are in a complete disarray , and are having a very difficult time organizing and fund raising for the upcoming fall election . It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if Holt can't even win her own seat in Fredericton .
Reply by David Amos.
Holt is in quite a horse race now
Reply by David Amos.
I wonder who Higgy and Outhouse have picked to run against the Green Leader in Fat Fred City
Reply by Le Wier.
It says Pam Allen Leblanc on their website is the candidate for Fredericton York
Reply by David Amos.
Thanks
Reply by Le Wier.
Ryan Cullin isn’t reofferring for the PCs?
Reply by David Amos.
Hard telling not knowing for sure but I bet the Leader of the KISS Party and one of my brothers knows the gossip
Comment by David Amos.
I remember Madame Carlin Perhaps she should check Tweets
2004
All eyes turned, cameras were flashing, and Nicolle Carlin, budding reporter, just stood waiting to hear an answer from an MP in Ottawa. Only in Gr. 10, Carlin caught the MP off guard when she asked if her school could have some money back to fund their music program which had been cancelled. Reporters scrummed her afterwards and it is then, Carlin recounts, that she realized that she had an interest in journalism.
“Wow, I like asking questions…and I kind of like catching him off guard.” thought young Carlin at the time. Now 25 and a Videojournalist at ATV in Fredericton, there is no looking back. Carlin grew up in Saint John and chose to study Journalism at St. Thomas University.
Comment by Marcel Belanger.
Apparently Carlin is the one pushing the anti sex ed and anti transgender agenda.
Reply by David Amos.
Higgy is She just following orders
Hidden comment.
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Reply by David Amos.
Of course not she is a former journalist who knows where all the bones are buried in Fat Fred City
Reply by David Amos.
You would have enjoyed my reply
Comment by David Amos.
Holt and I both lost in the 2018 election but at least she was honest with me in a public forum in Fat Fred City before the writ was dropped and the Green leader definitely was not
Comment by David Amos.
I wonder who Higgy and Outhouse have picked to run against the Green Leader in Fat Fred City
Comment by David Amos.
Oh My My Isn't this news rather special?
Comment by Bobby Richards.
The strong women already left the Higgs govt.
Sherry and Mary Wilson are old school women that asks permission to go to the bathroom.
I like Margaret but she is old school too, but she fought for her bridge in Florenceville that will never happen. Higgs keeps dangling that carrot for her though so she’ll run again.
Andrea Anderson Mason and Arlene Dunn…Dorothy Shepherd too stood up to Higgs for years.
Jill Green is fascinated by Higgs when she doesn’t need the money.
Good luck Nicole. Higgs will put you in a woman’s role soon if you are elected as MLA.
Reply by David Amos.
Sherry and Mary Wilson not as dumb as you think They know what side of the toast the butter is on
Reply by David Amos.
Oh my
Reply by Le Wier.
Higgs and Outhouse must think Mary Wilson is a shoe in. Maybe she is. The Liberals are running Steven Horsman against Wilson.
Reply by Don Corey.
After the coming election, Higgs will definitely restock on female cabinet ministers after the latest round of cleaning house.
Reply by David Amos.
Stevey Boy has worn out his welcome
Reply by David Amos.
Horsman was one of the dudes who stole my Harley
Reply by Le Wier.
Outhouse or Horsman?
Reply by David Amos.
The ex cop
Reply by Le Wier.
I thought it was odd the Liberals would move him from the Fred North riding to the Sunbury riding.
Reply by David Amos.
The turncoat has a better chance against Jill
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
“Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
Reply by David Amos.
Perhaps you should review our comments
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/susan-holt-fredericton-south-silverwood-1.6987031
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
“Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
What a blessed day for women's subservience in NB. Make the commander proud Nicole!
Reply by David Amos.
Surely you jest
Reply by Kyle Woodman.
I do.
Comment by G. Timothy Walton.
"Carlin said she wasn't recruited by the PC Party and the decision to run was hers alone."
Hmmmm, do I believe Higgs's spokescritter on this or any issue at this point?
Reply by Le Wier.
I see Carlin’s father In law was high up in the former NBTel and a prominent family in Quispamsis and her mother was affiliated with the UPC.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
There used to be a vetting process
Reply by David Amos.
IMHO Never believe anything until Higgy's spokescritter officially denies it
Reply by David Amos.
Bingo
Reply by David Amos.
Wow
Reply by Le Wier.
Oh when she was a Hanwell consellor?
Reply by Le Wier.
No wonder Carlin ‘s views are so close to Higgs
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Yes Leo Weir excellent credentials
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Sorry..Le Weir
Reply by Le Wier.
No worries. I was just pointing out no matter what party federal or provincial it is still a who’s who out to gain and control power.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Why not try giving the benefit of doubt..I'd like to think she is ernest in her reproach
Reply by David Amos.
I see that your comments did not stand the test of time
Reply by David Amos.
Notice anything missing?
Reply by Le Wier.
I think my previous post is now missing. I wonder why
Reply by David Amos.
More than that is missing
Comment by Gary Melanson.
So Holt plans on abandoning the people in the Bathurst area who put in office, shame on her. Typical of her work history, job jumper.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
Many leaders have done this when they are elected leader mid-term, this is not new.
Keep trying.
Reply by Kyle Woodman.
Are you new to politics?
Reply by Gary Melanson.
Haha. No just a grumpy old man
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Unfortunately that’s a normal thing. If Higgs doesn’t get elected in his riding, another MLA will be forced to give up their seat for him. That’s been going on forever.
Higgs has several women that he would boot out if that was the case.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Especially women and yes men. The strong women already left the Higgs govt.
Sherry and Mary Wilson are old school women that asks permission to go to the bathroom.
I like Margaret but she is old school too, but she fought for her bridge in Florenceville that will never happen. Higgs keeps dangling that carrot for her though.
Andrea Anderson Mason stood up to Higgs for years.
Jill Green is fascinated by Higgs when she doesn’t need the money.
Reply by David Amos.
Me too but At least we find some fun in this madness eh?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Oh for Heavens sake man!
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
David, maybe you should go for it again..not kidding either. You make so much more sense than many.
Reply by David Amos.
Clearly you don't know what condition my condition is in
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Sorry,Iwould call Kenny Roger's..but..sighhh
Reply by David Amos.
Lets just when I wake up in the morning I am the first to be just surprised that I am still alive and glad to that my best friend is happy Perhaps one night I will get lucky and break even but I hope I can outlive my best friend
Comment by Bobby Richards.
Another woman being controlled by Higgs. Good on Anderson Mason and Arlene Dunn for standing up to Higgs.
Reply by David Amos.
Yea right
Comment by Graham McCormack.
If she was approved by Higgs, she's far from progressive.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
Not agreeing with Higg's on the Policy 713 changes would be a start or his entire view on education.
Actually using facts and data to inform decisions would be another.
Reply by Jack Bell.
Would anyone else like to see who has an opinion on policy 713 and whether or not they have children?
Reply by David Amos.
You already know my opinion Correct?
Reply by Jack Bell.
Yes I do.
Comment by Lorraine Morgan.
Great. Mini Higgs.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Jake S and Nicole were “very very close”. That wasn’t brought up during the vetting process I bet. I’m sure there was no vetting process with Nicole. Unlike how they treated you.
Reply by David Amos.
Ditto
Comment by Bobby Richards.
Jake Stewart must be proud. They were very close.
Reply by David Amos.
Do you have proof of what you claim?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Careful....some take these comments to the bank
Reply by David Amos.
I already did
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
Doesn't she live out in Cardy's riding?
Reply by Le Wier.
Is she the former CBC and CTV Atlantic reporter?
Reply by Le Wier.
Yes in Cardy’s
Reply by Ron parker.
yes.
Reply by Le Wier.
Thank you for confirming
Reply by David Amos.
Do ya think Cardy will vote for her?
Reply by Ron parker.
have a great day.
Reply by Ron parker.
maybe if butter tarts are available.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
And if so...
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Uh huh..didn't you read the article?
Reply by Le Wier.
She looks different
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Compared to how long ago, Le Wier
Reply by Le Wier.
2008
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
16 years..most of us have..I'm not nearly as cute..how about you😁
Reply by David Amos.
Of that I have no doubt
Comment by Nanny White.
Desperate measures to run a staffer from the Premier’s office.
Reply by Patrick Bricker.
Not really, do you think they get into this line of work to be a staffer their whole career?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Most times it's better to draw from within the "business"
Reply by David Amos.
Holt was a former staffer for the Premier when she ran and lost in 2018
Comment by Luc Newsome.
Interesting only one policy question of where she stands…..I guess all the other issues are unimportant.
Reply by David Amos.
The only issue is how to get elected
Comment by SarahRose Werner.
It says a lot about who succeeds in the Higgs administration that Ms Carlin feels "fortunate" that Higgs has "allowed" her to be vocal. Shouldn't being vocal be an elected representative's right rather than some sort of favour they're granted?
Reply by Howard Higgs.
Ms. Carlin was a "staffer". Not an elected representative.
Reply by Luc Newsome.
I would suggest it’s more about being both humble and acknowledging the privilege she was afforded from the position……
Reply by Bobby Richards.
She will get treated very differently if she is elected and Higgs makes government. Higgs uses everyone for his own gain. Right now she feels on top but Higgs will put her on bottom if she dares speak up for her riding.
Reply by David Amos.
Perhaps I should ask you the obvious question
Reply by Howard Higgs.
Be my guest. I doubt that your questions surprise.
Reply by David Amos.
Is that your real name?
Reply by Howard Higgs.
Yes. I'm from AB. Not every Higgs is related. True for Smith or Brown as well.
Reply by David Amos.
That is particularly true with my family name But everybody in the Conservative Party knows who my Father and Mother were particularly today
Reply by David Amos.
A lot of Canadians visited my Mother's favourite Brother's grave today
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
She fits the mold of right wing yes woman.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Indeed
Reply by David Amos.
Everybody knows
Comment by Kyle Woodman.
If she supports Higgs she is not Progressive no matter how many times she says it.
Reply by Howard Higgs.
Grits or tories, same old stories.
Reply by Kyle Woodman.
I don't believe that is the case in this election.
Reply by Robert Brannen.
Agreed. But only since 2003, starting first at the Federal and having spread progressively to the provinces since.
Reply by David Amos.
C'est Vrai
Reply by Howard Higgs.
d'accord.
Comment by Robert Brannen.
Ms. Carlin should seriously think long and hard before committing to run politically. There is a huge difference between the drafting of hyperbolic, sugar coated, press releases and such, for a politician and that of presenting the issues of your constituents to government.
One is a matter of creating fantasy; the other, a matter of dealing with the harsh reality of the lives lived by the New Brunswick population.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
You are right. She understands the mechanics of NB government but has had the privilege of being shielded by being on the inside.
Reply by David Amos.
Who is the dreamer?
Comment by Howard Higgs.
It's nice to see young people engaged in the future of their province.
Reply by David Amos.
Are you gonna vote for your cousin?
Reply by Howard Higgs.
I had an uncle who was an AB MLA in the 1980s. That's it for politics in my family.
Reply by David Amos.
So that is not your real name
Reply by Howard Higgs.
Are you related to everyone whose last name is Amos?
Reply by David Amos.
I am the Chief of the Amos Clan Hence I pick who my Family and Septs are
Reply by David Amos.
Higgy et al know that I was not allowed to visit the legislature and even my Mother's home after I ran against their beloved Conservatives in 2004
Reply by Howard Higgs.
That sounds really important. I've got no idea what you're going on about though.
Reply by David Amos.
So why tease me?
Comment by Douglas James.
The last thing we need is a 'mouthpiece' who only knows how to mimic and echo Higgs. Puppets are the worst kind of politician.
Reply by David Amos.
Put your name on the ballot again if you are not a puppet
Reply by David Amos.
Did you flag me?
Hidden comment.
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Reply by val harris.
Did she work for Jake?
Reply by David Amos.
Good question
Comment by Art McCarthy.
"I am a progressive." I work for a leader who is old-fashioned, old-school, reactionary, and stogy, who brooks no dissention from his views, yet I am progressive?
Something does not align here.
Reply by David Amos.
I concur
Comment by Alison Jackson.
Everything Higgs is tainted. If she wants to run for the conservatives (I have long since dropped the word 'progressive') then have at it boss. All it means to us voters is that she is perfectly OK with the 'pronoun war distraction' over real issues.
Reply by David Amos.
Amen
Comment by Doug McBride.
Crafting Higgs Irvings messages must have been hard on her conscience OR perhaps not!
Reply by Allan Marven.
I doubt it.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
For her......not at all.
Reply by David Amos.
Me too
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
" resigned from her job as deputy minister of strategic initiatives and communications on Monday to campaign full time."
There are strategic initiatives in NB? Might they include contract nurses or actually improving the health care system. Based on what people deal with day to day, clearly nothing viable occurring.
There really has been nothing progressive in the Higgs government in the last 5 years. Why think anything will change
Reply by David Amos.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose N'esy Pas?
Comment by Deborah Reddon.
Well this should be an easy seat for the Liberals to take. As spokesperson for Higgs she has to carry the burden of his misinformation on 713, illegal firings that cost millions, travel nurse contracts, Union lawsuits and preferential tax treatment to his former employer and so much more.
Reply by David Amos.
I would not bet the farm on your opinion
Reply by David Amos.
Did you flag me?
Comment by Daniel Henwell.
She will no doubt be a strong competitor to go against Holt
Reply by Deborah Reddon.
Not a chance. She has to check everything she does with Higgy first.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
This is all Steve Outhouse’s idea.
Reply by David Amos.
Of course thats his job
STU Pride: A Glimpse into the Life of ATV’s Nicolle Carlin
“Wow, I like asking questions…and I kind of like catching him off guard.” thought young Carlin at the time. Now 25 and a Videojournalist at ATV in Fredericton, there is no looking back. Carlin grew up in Saint John and chose to study Journalism at St. Thomas University.
“My best years were here” says Carlin. “Journalism was a really new program…I didn’t want to leave my family, it was close to home, a small school, and affordable.” Like other STU journalism students at that time, Carlin studied her 3rd year in Woodstock and then took a year off to work at Global.
“[STU] was a good place to be because you had Cable 10 just down the road.” said Carlin. “ I could walk down the road to City Hall.” She also shared how the program really started to evolve while she was a student.
“I learned the most in my last year with Phillip Lee…He came in and revamped everything. I learned a lot about the ethics of journalism and not just working the machines and the camera, but what made me want to be a good journalist, what made me want to ask the questions and be responsible and get in there.”
Carlin’s passion for her work is obvious when you hear her talk. Her eyes light up, she laughs, yet is brought to tears at the memory of some more difficult stories she’s had to tell. There was a man in St. John who kept appealing to Carlin to do on a story him. “I live in house with no wheelchair access,” he’d tell her. A bit uncomfortable with his appearance and pushiness, Carlin put off the story.
When she did finally go down to do his story, Carlin was surprised to find him dressed in his Sunday suit. “It would’ve been so much for him to just get that much done.“ He proceeded to show her what he had to go through everyday to get in his front door.
“This man gets out of his wheel chair and he pulls himself along the floor on his elbows,” Carlin remembers. He had had a stroke 4 years previous and was getting by on $450 per month.
“It just made me realize that it is a privilege that people invite you into their homes and share their stories with you.” says Carlin. “There’s so many injustices and those stories need to be told…It‘s my job to tell them.” As a little girl, Carlin says she always wanted to make a difference.
“When we get older, that kinda gets beaten out of us…but with my job, I get a reminder everyday.” says Carlin. “Sometimes it’s disheartening…but then there are times when you really do see a change and that’s what drives you to get through all the grueling hours.”
Carlin’s advice for anyone who wants to be a journalist “is to educate yourself, and not just in the classroom. Read the papers, watch the news…Keep up to date on current events, be really persistent and don’t give up, because breaks don’t come to you.”
As encouragement for those who are hoping to break into the competitive field, Carlin says, “Don’t lose the fire. Realize why you’re doing it…if you don’t have that motivation that you want to make a difference, that you feel like you’re contributing to society then it’s grueling work and you’re not going to make it.” She says if someone doesn’t really love it they should probably find something else.
“But if you do, go at it full force, don’t give up, and stay true to yourself.” You’d have to love it to be able to go through the routine each day. Carlin shared what a typical work schedule would look like.
“It is stressful. I start out at 8:30 looking for stories. By 9:15, my least favourite part of the day, we get on to the conference call with everybody in Halifax and everybody in New Brunswick and we throw in our ideas and you just feel like you’re getting up in front of the class,” says Carlin. “From 10am on I’m trying to line up interviews. By 12:30-1pm I better be shooting those interviews. By 3:30 I’m back in my office picking out clips and choosing pieces. By 4 I’m writing, by 5 I’m editing, and by 6pm that story goes to air. And there is nothing that can happen to interrupt that schedule!”
Carlin speaks of how bad you feel if you’re one minute short on meeting a deadline. “The going reporter’s lunch is a bagel and a coffee. I do not stop for lunch…There’s only 2 of us here in Fredericton, so if anything happens at night, if anything breaks, one of the 2 of us is covering it…It is stress to the max, so you’ve got to learn to handle it, be it yoga, going to the gym, you find ways to cope.”
As the first, female Videojournalist in New Brunswick, Carlin had to learn from hands on experience. She has a producer who looks over her work, but shoots, writes, and edits it all herself. ““I like people stories…and that’s what drives me; when I think I’ve done somebody justice.”
Though she’s extremely happy in Fredericton, Carlin is pushing to report full time. ”I wish I could stay here forever, but I know I won’t be able to…my goal is to stay in the Maritimes and get as big as I can here.”
As for career goals, Carlin says, “I want to anchor and help lead the newscast…They produce, they help reporters pull their stories together, and they shape the newscast and of course deliver it in the end.”
In November, Carlin was part of the crew who hosted ATV’s Live at 5 from STU’s campus. “That has been a highlight for me,” Carlin said. “It was kind of the meshing of my past and my present. It was just such high energy and people made me feel like I was something really special.”
Carlin admitted to being nervous at STU, when usually she isn’t. “It’s completely different when you’ve got a whole crowd around you, let alone people you feel you have a connection with. It was nerve-wracking. I wanted to make STU proud.”
Working with her colleagues from Halifax might also have been cause for excitement. She says it’s surprising how close she’s been able to get with them by going down on weekends and through telephone calls. “Pure, plain, and simple, they’re fun.”
She attributes her success and becoming the reporter she is to a Senior Producer from Halifax, Wade Keller, who she says “shaped and moulded me.” Bruce Frisko, part of the “ATV family“ has also encouraged Carlin along her way. “They’re constantly there asking ‘how’s your day going, what’s going on’ and not just professionally…He‘s helped me a lot.”
“There are a lot of personal sacrifices,” Carlin says. “You can’t ask somebody to keep moving with you and changing their career with you and so I suspect to get where I really want to be, it could be a lonely road.” With Carlin’s personality and charm though, it would be hard to imagine her alone.
“This game is a confidence game. You need people who are going to tell you you can do it. You need to believe you can do it.”
“I’m so embarrassed [when I look back at my work as a student],” says Carlin. But she’s moved forward and learned from her mistakes. “If I could’ve done it differently, when I was in University I would’ve taken it a bit more seriously…and maybe taken a keener interest in politics because it was a real catch up game for me later once I started.”
At 6pm, you can find Carlin watching her show and madly flicking between CBC and Global. “You’re only as good as your last story,” says Carlin. “Everyday the competition starts again and everyday it’s my job to kick their ass…I want to have the elements and personal details they didn’t have…there is no balance.”
There are rules that Carlin speaks of, “…You have to be so careful everyday…I’ve learned the difference that one word can make. And you have to be very aware that you do have a responsibility and a power…there are moral decisions that you make…they could have major consequences.”
Creativity is one of the prime qualities of a good journalist according to Carlin, “Creative I mean, in a way that you pull your stories together, that you approach people, that you get them to talk to you. You have to have some personality and people skills and you have to be creative in the way that when obstacles come your way…it’s do or die, sink or swim…because the cream floats to the top.”
Carlin had one final tip for young journalists, “Don’t just leave your story. Once you do a story, there are probably 70 different off shoots from it,” said Carlin. With more stories to tell, yet the pressure of deadlines again setting in, Carlin briskly left STU campus with the latest copy of the Aquinian and story ideas stewing in her head.