(Canadian Press (delayed) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Here is a recap of top Canadian news as of 22:30 ET. If you have any questions, contact CP's National Desk at 416-507-2150.

Copy moves by 18:00 ET unless otherwise noted; all times ET.

For queries about non-Canadian Press syndicated copy, call the Specials Desk at 416-507-2152.

AUTO CRISIS

TORONTO _ It's highly likely General Motors will be forced to seek bankruptcy protection before the U.S. and Canadian governments reach a decision on a bailout package, a move which could put thousands of Canadian GM employees out of work, plus thousands more in spinoff industries, analysts say. Joe D'Cruz, a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, said there's a ``high likelihood'' the auto giant _ which reported a US$2.5 billion loss in the third quarter _ will run out of cash before January, leaving the automaker little choice. 700 words. By Kristine Owram. BC-Auto-Bankruptcy. Moved General (G) and Business (B).

TORONTO _ Federal Liberal leadership hopeful Bob Rae urged the Conservative government Friday to press Washington to help the sinking auto industry. In return, the industry must pledge to become sustainable and competitive, he said during a speech to a Bay Street luncheon crowd. 500 words. By Colin Perkel. BC-Rae-Economy.

TORONTO _ More than 20 Ontario mayors met Friday to call for swift, bold and proactive action from Ottawa in a plea to save automotive jobs in their municipalities. Rather than wait for the United States to take the lead, the 22 mayors pushed for a ``made in Canada solution.'' The mayors warned that no help will mean the collapse of the Canadian automotive industry. 500 words. By Tamsyn Burgmann. Auto-Ont-Mayors. Moves General (G) and Business (B).

OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE

VANCOUVER _ The Olympic flame will shine on every corner of Canada during a historic torch relay that will serve as the national rallying cry for the 2010 Winter Games. The torch's journey will begin in Victoria on Oct. 30, 2009 and when it ends 106 days later, Vancouver Olympic organizers will gain a place in the history books for the longest-ever domestic torch relay. 675 words. By Stephanie Levitz. With QuickFacts. See CP Photos. BC-OLY-2010-Torch.

See also:

_ BC-OLY-2010-Torch-Bearers;

EDITORS: In addition to the items listed above, there are separate stories moving on regional wires that focus in on the Olympic torch route in individual provinces and regions.

OTHER CANADIAN

CORNWALLIS, N.S. _ Defence ministers from Canada and other countries with troops in southern Afghanistan held informal talks today, amidst reports that violence is rising in the region and the legitimacy of future elections could be threatened. The meeting of representatives from eight nations in the International Security Assistance Force is taking place in the tranquil village of Cornwallis, on the southwestern coast of Nova Scotia. 600 words. By Michael Tutton. BC-Afghan-Ministers.

FREDERICTON _ The wife of a dying Ontario man, who was wrongfully convicted of a murder in New Brunswick 33 years ago, is accusing the New Brunswick government of waiting for him to die before addressing the issue of compensation. Angela Walsh says her husband, Erin Walsh, 60, is in the final stages of colon cancer and is stressed because of a civil suit that has yet to get to court. 500 words. By Kevin Bissett. BC-NB-Wrongful-Conviction.

HALIFAX _ Unless he gets some financial help, Ken MacKay says his savings will soon dry up, forcing his wife Marilyn _ awaiting a double-lung transplant in Toronto _ to return home to Cape Breton to die. MacKay made a tearful plea for help at the provincial legislature Friday, saying the province should cover the living expenses for anyone forced to leave the province for medical care for more than three months. MacKay says he's sold his car, his boat, his all-terrain vehicle and he expects to be broke by the end of January. 500 words. By Michael MacDonald. NS-Health-Expenses.

OTTAWA _ In hard economic times, jobs may get scarce, but the Canadian Forces are still hiring, the country's top military commander says. Despite a flurry of recruiting ads and the spotlight of the Afghan war, the military missed its expansion goals last year even though it signed up thousands of new recruits, said Gen. Walter Natynczyk. 550 words. By Murray Brewster. BC-Forces-Hard-Times.

OTTAWA _ Opposition parties say the Conservative government is using a recent controversy over a CBC executive's expenses, combined with the global financial crisis, to lay the groundwork for ideologically driven cuts to the public broadcaster's billion-dollar annual public subsidy. 500 words. By Bruce Cheadle. BC-CRAFT-Conservatives-CBC.

EDMONTON _ The brother of the lone survivor of a British Columbia plane crash that killed seven people was to hold a news conference Friday at an Edmonton hospital. Mike Wilson has said his brother Tom is expected to make a full recovery after suffering burns to his face, hands and leg. 500 words. By John Cotter. See CP photos, video. Plane-Crash.

SASKATOON _ Scientists and others were scouring the Prairies on Friday for a possible meteor after a fireball lit up the evening sky Thursday. Reports of sightings came from Edmonton to Regina to Swan River, Man. 600 words. By Chris Purdy. See CP Photo. Meteor-Sighting.

PETROLIA, Ont. _ Provincial police rode on snowmobiles and even planned to use aircraft to reach dozens of motorists stranded by snowsqualls in southwestern Ontario on Friday. The squalls dumped as much as 50 centimetres of snow on Highway 402 east of Sarnia, Ont., and along nearby Highway 21. One of the drivers stranded in a snowdrift was a 70-year-old man who had sat in his vehicle since 2 a.m. 450 words. See CP Photos. WEA-Ont-Roads.

MONTREAL _ Attracting foreign students is a key economic challenge of our time, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said as he unveiled campaign pledge designed to bring in and keep the best and brightest young minds. Canada's performance on that crucial front has been lacking, experts say. 600 words. By Peter Rakobowchuk. BC-Elxn-Que.

TORONTO _ One of the purest, most abundant fresh water supplies on the planet will be contaminated unless the provincial government stops a proposed landfill from being built on the Alliston Aquifer in Tiny Township, north of Barrie, protesters warned Friday as they converged on the Ontario legislature. Several dozen protesters marched outside the legislature, including two who spent the week walking the 120 kilometres from Tiny Township to downtown Toronto, to try to protect their local water supply and stop a dump that they say their community doesn't even need. 500 words. By Keith Leslie. BC-Landfill-Protest. Moved Regional (C).

TORONTO _ Ontario's Liberal government will introduce legislation next week to toughen up the rules concerning restraining orders. The Canadian Press has learned Attorney General Chris Bentley will introduce a series of family justice reforms that are designed to better protect women and children. 500 words. By Keith Leslie. BC-Restraining-Orders. Moves Regional (C).

Copyright ? 2008 The Canadian Press

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Discussions: