The Canadian subsidiaries of the
Detroit Big Three automakers have
asked the federal and Ontario
governments for financial aid that
could total as much as $6 billion.

GM Canada, Ford of Canada and Chrysler
Canada made their requests Friday as
they provided Ontario and the federal
government with financial information
and details of their restructuring
plans that the governments asked for
in return for considering a potential
aid package.

Ontario Economic Development Minister
Michael Bryant said GM is seeking an
immediate $800 million bridge loan as
part of a package of repayable loans
that would ultimately total $2.4
billion.

Chrysler is also seeking a loan but
did not publicly divulge the amount.
However, the Canadian Press said it
has learned the amount is $1.6
billion. It said Ford is asking for a
$2-billion line of credit that it
could draw upon if necessary.

Overall, the amount being sought is
less than 20 per cent of what the
automakers are trying to get from the
U.S. Congress, which is being urged to
provide a bailout package of $34
billion US. The Big Three have around
20 per cent of their total assembly
production in Canada.