Cell Phone Help

Okay all you HTMF members I am putting this out there because you all in the know.

A friend needs a cell phone nothing fancy, will be out of town ( VCR for a while) needs a long distance plan, doesn’t want to pay the earth for it SUGGESTIONS as to what type of phone and what would you recommend in terms of long distance and or minutes plan? 

Thanks for your input!

Are they going to be phoning just one specific number long distance? Because Telus, Rogers and Bell offer “Fav” plans where you get unlimited long distance with a certain number of people.

Thats what I have and I can chat for hours with my Mum and my Dad with no limit. You can  usually get it in a good bundle too.