If they're for casual use, I would be looking for lightweight, lower magnification, and higher objective diameter. I would not get a zoom, you give up too much field-of-view and it will be frustrating.

So maybe an 8X40 like one of these:

Nikon is a little more expensive, but worth it if you can: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7216-Action-8x40mm-Binoculars/dp/B0001AOGAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366990864&sr=8-1&keywords=8x40+binoculars

Bushnell is real entry-level, good enough for general viewing, but would be frustrating for trying to ID warblers etc from a distance: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7216-Action-8x40mm-Binoculars/dp/B0001AOGAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366990864&sr=8-1&keywords=8x40+binoculars

IMO the best bang-for-buck around is the Leupold brand. Not sure where in Canada you are, but in Calgary these are carried at Wholesale Sports, you should be able to find them at a hunting/outdoorsman type store. They have a few models in your price range. This model is a steal on Amazon right now: http://www.amazon.com/Leupold-Yosemite-Water-Binocular-Treestand/dp/B004LE2AXQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1366991215&sr=8-12&keywords=binoculars+leupold