In its latest bid for aid from governments around the world, General Motors Corp. (GM) on Friday asked the Canadian government for help in covering fast-growing retiree costs.

GM didn't specify how much money it needs. But the auto maker asked the government and Canadian Auto Workers union to help offset the cost of the country's ballooning population of retired auto workers.

The company is looking to the government to help cover pension obligations and the union to take over responsibility for retiree medical costs, as the United Auto Workers did in the U.S.

In exchange, the auto maker said it would continue to build cars and trucks in Canada.

In its request, GM called the restructuring plan "achievable and transformative."

"Despite further North American market deterioration, the restructuring Plan will achieve long-term viability and enable [GM Canada] to repay Canadian taxpayers," the company said.

GM's future in Canada has become uncertain as money-saving labor deals in the U.S. and the weak American dollar reduced Canada's competitive edge on labor costs. The profitability of Canada's operations also have taken a hit as sales of large trucks built there plummeted.

GM in December turned down $3 billion in loans offered by Canada, instead opting to focus on ways to reduce long-term structural costs.

GM's pension fund faces a shortfall in Canada, where retirees outnumber active workers three-to-one, a disparity that will grow since GM is closing factories and reducing its salaried work force in the country.

The auto maker avoided bankruptcy last year after the U.S. government extend $13.4 billion in loans.

Continually sinking sales, however, threaten to push GM back to brink of bankruptcy. The auto maker on Tuesday asked for another $16.6 billion in U.S. aid and said it needs at least $6 billion from other nations.

Without more cash, the auto maker said it could run out of money by March.

In Canada, GM aims to cut the pay and benefits of salaried workers while getting the Canadian Auto Workers to agree to concessions. Under the plan, GM says it will launch five new vehicles in Oshawa, Ont., and Ingersoll, Ont., including new hybrid vehicles.

Chrysler LLC is also expected to present plans for its Canadian operations Friday.

At a press conference regarding receipt of the restructuring plan, Ontario Minister of Economic Development Michael Bryant wouldn't comment on the provincial government's plans with respect to GM Canada's pension shortfall, noting that this issue and others are still subject to negotiation. But he said he was "encouraged" by the plan.

GM employs about 12,000 people in Canada, though its presence there is shrinking. The auto maker plans to close a truck plant in Oshawa, Ont., this spring and a Windsor, Ont., transmission plant next year.

-By Sharon Terlep, Dow Jones Newswires; 248-204-5532; sharon.terlep@dowjones.com.