FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's Opposition Progressive Conservatives are calling on Premier Brian Gallant to call a byelection in the riding of Carleton.

The riding has been without a member since last month, when former premier David Alward resigned his seat to become Canada's consul general in Boston.

The Tories have chosen Stewart Fairgrieve as their candidate.

He is the former executive director of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative party and also served as Alward's deputy chief of staff in the premier's office.

Fairgrieve says the riding needs to be represented and he's already getting calls from constituents looking for help.

Last week in the legislature, Gallant said he has up to six months to call the byelection.