As a Canadian, I honestly have to disagree with the pricing of the Vela personally myself. The bike is pretty comparable in technologies and components to an Asama which can be bought in Canada for $375 including a rack and fenders. A Dahon Speed D7 is about $575 with tax, can be bought at a local shop, includes a rack, fenders, 5yr - lifetime warranty, 7sp cassette with a much better gear range (The MF-TZ20 shown in the Vela pictures is a 14-28 6sp, the D7 has an 11-32 7sp), an adjustable height stem, and in my opinion as a mechanic, higher quality hinges. Now, theoretically, the Dahon is going to come assembled and tuned from a bike shop, and lots of bike shops also throw in a free tune down the road with a purchase, whereas I see you're recommending a purchase tune from a local mechanic, which packs a little value on for the Dahon, and adds a little real world price to your Vela for users who won't be doing their own work. As in inquiry, do your Velas come professionally assembled and completely tuned up out of box?

Your comparison doesn't include the fact that the Nova has been selling for $300 and under since its introduction, and the 8H is closer to your stated estimate of $379, at $389 (And the 8H reflects a considerably higher component spec). Yes, these are sale prices and aren't guaranteed to last forever, but they reflect current value, and the sale's been on for a long time now.

As a Canadian who currently works in 2 bike shops and knows the full ins and outs of our national dilemma with bicycle, component and accessory pricing, I am fully acquainted with how things up here can get pricier. And I also recognize that you are adding in the value of shipping and tax to your bicycles, but still, I feel that Canadians can do better for themselves than the value currently reflected in your product.