Ottawa waiting for U.S. action before bailing out automakers

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

OTTAWA, Dec. 12 (Chinese media) -- Canada is committed to a bailout package to the three Detroit automakers but U.S. would have to deliver one first before Ottawa can act, government officials said Friday.

Canadian government has been expected to announce a bailout package Friday, but the plans were put on hold after U.S. senators rejected a 14-billion-U.S.-dollar boost on Thursday. The Canada branches of the three North American automakers had asked for financial help of 6.8 billion Canadian dollars (about 5.4 billion U.S. dollars).

If the U.S. aid package cannot be revived, any aid plan from the Canadian government would also likely dry up, Canadian Television reported Friday citing government officials.

Earlier Friday, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Ottawa is still working with industry officials in Canada. He said the defeat of the automotive bailout package in the United States will not hold up talks on possible aid to the auto industry in Canada.