Better late than never, the Canadian government has finally approved that country’s version of the iBookstore, while carrier Rogers is starting to unlock iPhones that are out of their contract or purchased unsubsidized.

AppleInsider is reporting on a pair of Apple-centric stories out of Canada. The first report comes from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, who announced Tuesday that they have granted “formal approval of Apple’s iBookstore,” according to a report from MacNN.

"Our Government is committed to strengthening Canada's economy through all its sectors, especially arts and culture," said Minister James Moore in a press release. "Apple has demonstrated how iBookstore Canada represents new opportunities for Canadian authors and publishers, and I have determined that this investment will be of net benefit to Canada."

Of course, Canada is split between English and French languages, and as such the Canadian iBookstore will serve both parties, including publishing the work of Canadian authors both in their native land as well as internationally. Apple has had a limited version of iBookstore already available, mostly with shelves full of paid works from U.S. authors as well as public domain titles.

Meanwhile, if you have an iPhone on the Rogers network in Canada, you may have just found one less reason to jailbreak your device. Customers who have completed their contracts or purchased an unsubsidized handset now qualify to unlock their device for a mere $50 fee plus applicable taxes, according to iPhone in Canada.

The unlocking deal also applies to Fido, a subsidiary brand of Rogers. One such user, Argun Tekant, successfully got his iPhone 3GS unlocked through Fido and immediately tested it with AT&T, O2 U.K. and Wind SIMs to verify that it does indeed work.

To get your Canadian device unlocked, customers “must have an account in good standing; have finished their contract or paid the unsubsidized cost for the device 30 days prior and unlock a device that is listed in their equipment history.”

Sounds good to us -- AT&T, are you reading this?

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(Image courtesy of TalkiPhone.com)