The MEC Cote @1350 is way more than the MSRP of a Kona Jake. And with the 2010 here, you can find 09 Jakes with deep discounts at LBS. While the MEC bikes are quite nice (I tried them in Vancouver), with deep discounts, it is hard to pass up other bikes.
I believe the frames are made by Giant and its subsidiaries... much like your many Treks, Cannondales, etc. They all come from the same place these days - Taiwan.