Canada police
Police are searching for a white male aged 25-35. Getty Images

A police hunt has been launched in Canada after a gunman shot two officers in a casino and then fled.

The policemen are being treated in hospital following the incident near Edmonton, Alberta.

One is said to be in a "grave condition" while the other is described as "serious".

The shooting happened at 3am local time in St Albert, while the officers were investigating a stolen vehicle

Police are searching for a white male, aged 25-35, wearing a two-toned blue jacket and jeans, but have not been able to confirm his identity.

"We have every single possible resource at our disposal actively involved right now," RCMP Inspector Gibson Glavin told reporters.

"Our air support, police dog support and emergency response teams and general duty members. Everything we can bring to bear on this to try to end it," he added.