Trade talks between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers centring around rush end Tom Canada have hit a snag.

A league source requesting anonymity told The Canadian Press early Monday evening that the Bombers had dealt the tenacious rush end and the rights to Canadian-born defensive lineman Corey Mace to Hamilton for linebacker Zeke Moreno.

In fact, Bombers general manager Brendan Taman confirmed that the two teams had signed off on the deal, but that was before news that Canada wasn't completely healthy broke late Monday night.

"Tom isn't medically right," Taman said. "There are problems that could affect his playing.
"It was agreed to and signed off on but it's not fair for Hamilton to get a player that's not medically able to play."

Taman wouldn't divulge details about Canada's medical condition; however, he said it's not a career-threatening ailment.

When asked where that development left trade talks between the two teams, Taman said, "I don't know."

However, Taman did say the Ticats and Bombers might continue talking to see if they can agree on another deal involving a different player or players.

Both Hamilton and Winnipeg are desperately trying to kick-start teams that are tied for fourth in the East Division with identical 2-8 records.

Last week, the Bombers made a huge deal with the B.C. Lions, sending career rushing leader Charles Roberts to Vancouver for running back Joe Smith, the 2007 CFL rushing leader.

The Canada deal would have been the second huge move of the day for Hamilton, which fired head coach Charlie Taaffe on Monday morning and replaced him on an interim basis with offensive co-ordinator Marcel Bellefeuille.

When contacted Monday night, Hamilton general manager Bob O'Billovich wouldn't discuss anything surrounding the deal because nothing had been finalized yet.

"Nothing has been confirmed," he said.

The six-foot-three, 255-pound Canada is in his fifth CFL season, all with Winnipeg, and has emerged as one of the league's top pass rushers. However, the source says Canada, 28, was balking at reporting to Hamilton.

Canada signed a multi-year deal with Winnipeg last year with a reported salary of $160,000. But $100,000 of that apparently was paid up front, leaving him with a $60,000 base stipend.

With the Bombers being better than halfway through the season, Canada would have been paid $130,000, giving him ample financial resources to dig in his heels and remain steadfast in not wanting to go to Hamilton.

Canada was the Bombers' outstanding defensive player last year, finishing third overall in the CFL with a career-high 12 sacks. But the California native has three sacks and an interception this season.

Moreno is in his second season with Hamilton and was a CFL all-star last season. Prior to joining the Ticats, Moreno, 29, spent time in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers (2001-`04) and Philadelphia Eagles (2005).

The six-foot-two, 246-pound Moreno, who played his college football at USC, had 114 tackles for Hamilton last season and has 53 tackles and two sacks in 2008 for the Ticats.

Mace, a native of Port Moody, B.C., is currently in his second season on the practice roster of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.