Right now you can get a 42 inch plasma for $2,999 Canadian, no tax.
http://www.mdg.ca/2x_tv.asp?bus=4&country=ca&lang=en
From what I understand all these cheap ones that you see at places like Costco and Futureshop for about 3K are basically rebadged Samsungs.
Some of the other names they are marketed under are Prima, Akia, Advent.
Are these things junk or decent as a spare TV?