Kowa has been in Canada for many years. Many people looking for a spotting scope look for something inexpensive (read cheap) and readily available (read Wal-Mart or local sporting goods or camera shop).
Kowa scopes have for many years been the standard of which all other spotting scopes are compared to, in the target shooting circles.
If money is no object Zeiss, Swarovski and Lieca are also an option.
I have had plenty of people tell me how great their $149 Bushnell spotting scope are, then I let them look through my Kowa TSN-1.
I have look through some very nice Leica's, Zeiss and Swarovski's and will admitt they are even better then Kowa's but at twice the price.
Even with Kowa spotting scope you can go from the TS-502-20x Straight for around $250 with an eye piece. Or go whole hog with a TSN-883 Angled 88mm Prominar PFC Lens Spotting Scope without eye piece (call for price)

For shooting, something in the middle price range works. If you are into serious bird watching and photography, high end is the way to go.
Here is a link for a place that sells them all. If you are within a few hours drive and want to take a look through all of them to compare it is well worth the drive. Take out the spaces
w w w.peleewings.ca