Look online for cell -phone unlocking providers. I unlocked my Rogers phone for a trip to Europe. It cost me $8.
Look carefully at what you actually use on your phone. I know I do not use more than 150mb data (but I do need data), and I use about 50 minutes talk time. I called Rogers simply to ask when my contract expired, when I said why (my $70 plan was overkill for my needs), they put me on a plan that met my needs for $45 ($50 plan plus discounts). My contract has not been extended. When it expires I will move to a low cost provider, but until then I am content with the service I've gotten from Rogers.
Do you live in a big city and rarely travel outside of it? See if Wind or Mobilicty cover your city. Both offer exceptional prices ($30 unlimited everything, or $15 for a no-data plan) so long as you don't roam outside the city.
For me, Koodo seems to have the best plans-sans-contract, because I travel outside of the city a great deal.
Do not sign any contract before December when the new Wireless Code of Conduct comes in to play.
