I was just about to make a rant about this, but I might as well just add to this thread. I live in Manitoba, and while I don't have my bike yet, the approximate total using the cheapest options came out to:
$2,407
This is bloody ludicrous, not to mention you can only ride in Manitoba for 5 months of the year!

Rest of the time the weather's too crappy and dangerous and winter lasts too damn long.
I was truly hoping there was another option, but if these rates don't smarten up soon, I'm resorting to a scooter. $2,500 for 5 months of riding on a 125 or 250cc motorcycle? Or $400/yr for a 500cc scooter. What the hell is wrong with these people?
The sad thing is, these rates have gone UP by $200 since 2007's season.