N.B. lieutenant-governor's term extended

New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Hermngilde Chiasson will serve an extra year.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper granted the extension to the lieutenant-governor's term on Sunday.

"I am pleased that Hermngilde Chiasson has agreed to this extension," Harper said in a release. "With the World Acadian Congress coming to New Brunswick in August of 2009, it would only be fitting for Mr. Chiasson to play a role in this celebration of Acadian heritage."

The provincial government submitted therequest to the prime minister last week.

Lieutenant-governors don't serve a fixed term but convention suggests they leave the office after about five years.

Though it is considered unusual to extend the term of a lieutenant-governor, the government had argued that it would be beneficial to have a French-speaking lieutenant-governor when the congress is held on the Acadian Peninsula next year.

The World Acadian Congresswill include reunions, cultural events and celebrations.

Chiasson is from the region and is a well-known academic, author and patron of the arts in New Brunswick.

Appointed in 2003, he will remainlieutenant-governor until Sept. 30, 2009.