Jean Charest, the premier of the local province Quebec, has joined organisers of the Montreal formula one race in wanting to know why the Canadian grand prix has been taken off the 2009 calendar.

"We want know from the people at the grand prix what is going on," he is quoted as saying by The Gazette.

In a brief statement, the race organisers, who have a contract to host the event until 2011, said they learned of the decision to cancel the June 7 race via the media.

"The organisation will issue no comment until having spoken to Formula One Management (FOM) and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)," the statement reads.

Industry experts are speculating as to the possible reasons for the breakdown, including recalling the serious problems with the surface of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at this year's race.

But a writer for the Vancouver Sun said: "No one knows why Montreal has been dropped after being included on the preliminary calendar issued in June."

Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay said on Radio-Canada that he was extremely disappointed with the news.

"We're talking about losses of some $75 million to the local economy as a result. This is a large sum," he said, confirming that he has scheduled an immediate meeting with grand prix promoter Normand Legault.

"We'll see in the coming hours what we can do," Tremblay added, recalling 2003, when the race was nearly cancelled over tobacco sponsorship.

"I feel bad, the same way I felt those years ago, but I'm an optimist," he said.

Source: GMM