I'm not sure if this is relavant. I just was playing around with my garmin a bit ago and found a site about getting free topographic maps in canada. I've used it in the trails a bit, hiking and that sort and it works fairly well. I thought I'd post the site in case anybody at all is interested or wants to save a few $$

http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/
you can also search google or torrents for download instead of making your own. I think its great to have a dual use gps WITHOUT paying alot for it

Came across this site for free gps maps on a backpacking forum. Hope this helps some as I understand loading a Garmin can get pricy fast.

There are a lot of torrents floating around the internet that can offer a lot of good deals, I wish Garmin would make there software free or almost nothing. This would make their product a lot more appealing for Joe public.

It should get interesting to see what Garmin and the rest of them will do now that the Droid (Verizon's new flag ship phone) has done with GPS Navigation. The only down side is there is no base maps on the Droid but the navigation is hands down the best that I have seen and Free as well. Garmin will need to start making there future GPS's with global maps that are free with the unit to start to compete with these guys. If I know Garmin, they will fall back on their Boating and aircraft product line before they will start giving maps for free. I had just upgraded my phone to a Droid and it can do almost everything my laptop can do and has interchangeable batteries and can run with no battery.

In addition to GPS File Depot, check here:
http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Maps
for how to load other free maps onto your Garmin.