Government officials in Canada are trying to get the country back on the Formula One race calendar for next season.

Montreal was originally left off the F1 GP schedule for 2009 with the sport's rights owner Bernie Ecclestone believed to be in dispute over payments from last year's race and the terms of paying for the travel costs and expenses of teams.

Time is running out for the FIA to put Canada in the 2009 race calendar but Montreal officials are trying to work out a deal.

Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay revealed one idea was to increase hotel taxes over the grand prix weekend in a bid to raise several million pounds.

Tremblay told the Montreal Gazette: "We need to know if we're going to have a grand prix in 2009. We're trying to find a proposal that will meet with the approval of Bernie Ecclestone and his board of directors.

"He's not interested in where the money's going to come from, he just wants to get the money to which he thinks he's entitled."