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.
With files from Alix Villeneuve
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.
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.
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
"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?
Le Wier
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
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.
Bobby Richards
Jake Stewart is the father of Nicole’s baby. That happened 2 terms ago
Bobby Richards
Reply to Le Wier
There used to be a vetting process
David Amos
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
IMHO Never believe anything until Higgy's spokescritter officially denies it
David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
Bingo
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Wow
Reply to Bobby Richards
Reply to Bobby Richards
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Le Wier
Notice anything missing?
Reply to David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
More than that is missing
Keep trying.
Higgs has several women that he would boot out if that was the case.
Jill Green is fascinated by Higgs when she doesn’t need the money.
I think the baby Daddy is now in Ottawa.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Reply to Bobby Richards
They spent many evenings together in the hotel
Reply to SarahRose Werner
I would suggest it’s more about being both humble and acknowledging the privilege she was afforded from the position……
Reply to SarahRose Werner
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.
Perhaps I should ask you the obvious question
Reply to David Amos
Is that your real name?
Reply to 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
A lot of Canadians visited my Mother's favourite Brother's grave today
Kyle Woodman
She fits the mold of right wing yes woman.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Indeed
Kyle Woodman
If she supports Higgs she is not Progressive no matter how many times she says it.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Grits or tories, same old stories.
Reply to Howard Higgs
I don't believe that is the case in this election.
Reply to Howard Higgs
Agreed. But only since 2003, starting first at the Federal and having spread progressively to the provinces since.
C'est Vrai
Reply to David Amos
Robert Brannen
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 to Robert Brannen
You are right. She understands the mechanics of NB government but has had the privilege of being shielded by being on the inside.
It's nice to see young people engaged in the future of their province.
Reply to David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Reply to David Amos
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 to Bobby Richards
Did she work for Jake?
Only at the hotel
Yes outside of business hours
it sure wasnt to check his riding........i dont think Dawson goes around neither..........
They checked each other out in the evenings after dark
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.
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.
Amen
Crafting Higgs Irvings messages must have been hard on her conscience OR perhaps not!
Reply to Doug McBride
I doubt it.
Reply to Doug McBride
For her......not at all.
" 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
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.
She will no doubt be a strong competitor to go against Holt
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Not a chance. She has to check everything she does with Higgy first.
Reply to Deborah Reddon
This is all Steve Outhouse’s idea.
I see the name Outhouse, I automatically assume they are full of you-know-what...
Reply to Bobby Richards
Of course thats his job
Premier Higgs Thanks Nicolle Carlin and Congratulates on Nomination for Fredericton South Silverwood
NB PC CaucusNew Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is asked about Ensemble Moncton and other Meth Heads issues!!!
Charles LeblancNicole Carlin from ATV NEWS to return to Fredericton????
15 Thursday Feb 2007
Posted Uncategorized
inBut not as a reporter?
There’s going to be lots of changes coming in the Capital during the next few weeks!!!
Stay tuned!!!
Nicole Carlin from CBC television is getting married in July!!!
08 Thursday Nov 2007
Posted Uncategorized
inNicolle Carlin is doing a good job as host of CBC television News at Six!!
03 Thursday Jul 2008
Nicolle Carlin from CBC News is getting married this weekend!!!
09 Wednesday Jul 2008
Posted Uncategorized
inBonne Chance Nicolle!!!
Nicolle Carlin from CBC to be laid off this week!!!
27 Wednesday May 2009
Posted Uncategorized
inJust got the news!!!
Too bad because she’s a very good journalist!!!!
WE DON’T NEED ANY CUTS AT THE CBC IN NEW BRUNSWICK!!!
MAYBE IN QUEBEC BUT NOT HERE!!!!
Journalist Nicolle Carlin is returning to CBC in the morning!!
28 Monday Feb 2011
Posted Uncategorized
inWelcome back Nicolle!!!!
Journalist Nicolle Carlin got laid Off from the CBC and is expecting another Child!!!
05 Monday Nov 2012
Posted Uncategorized
inSaw her at the Farmer’s Market last Saturday and she told me the News.
Too bad she got laid off from the CBC because she was good.
Here’s some photos I found on my blog.
Just call me the Paparazzi Blogger!!!
Wish her all the best…:)
CBC Journalist Nicolle Carlin is doing great!!!
18 Wednesday Jan 2012
Posted Uncategorized
inI chatted with Nicolle today on the streets and Things are going ok, but its taking a little longer than she thought to straighten out her thyroid problem.
She had a radio active iodine treatment that is suppost to kill off most of her thyroid cells, and unfortunately it doesn’t seem the treatment worked.
That means she will likely have to do a second treatment but they like to wait 6 months in between.
There is still a chance that the first treatment will have an impact so our fingers are crossed,
In the meantime she’s ok, not dying or anything, just not feeling great…extreme fatigue and aches and pains but there are some good days mixed in with the bad.
She’ll be back in better shape then ever!!!!!!
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.
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