THE BATTLE OF THE GROUNDHOGS

The second day of February is not marked on any calendar, to my knowledge. Perhaps, in Gobbler's

Willie's Predictions

Knob, Pennsylvania or in Ontario at Wiarton, the date is marked clearly. It's GROUNDHOG DAY.

The sky, cloud cover and presence or absence of sunshine is the deciding factor in the remaining severity and length of winter..and it can vary in each location. In Niagara, we are situated between both communities and we have one of the most temperate climates in all of Canada. Positioned between two Great Lakes, our temperatures are modified in summer and, it's hard to believe, even in winter. Also, we have the added protection of the Niagara Escarpment, a landform carried over from the shores of a glacial lake of the last Ice Age.

While those same lakes dump mounds of snow on the south towns of Buffalo and into Oswego and Watertown when combined with the prevailing winds, here in Niagara, it keeps the volume of snow a lot less for us. Many times, as we see our neighbours in Buffalo digging themselves out from huge snowfalls, we thank our lucky stars. “Missed us by that much” as Maxwell Smart used to say to 99.

Monday was the second day of the month and proved to be a busy day for me and many more throughout our area. I watched CHCH TV report the many road problems, restrictions and school

By noon on Monday...let the clearing begin

closures as we were in the midst of our own blowing and falling snow storm. By the time it was over we had accumulated between 20 to 30 centimeters depending upon where you were and the directions of the winds around you. By noon, the sun broke through the cloud cover, for a while, and then the clouds returned and the snowfall continued.

The terms “blizzard-like” and “blowing snow” were in the Environment Canada storm warnings that were published online and echoed by other media...and, in fact, I believe that we were in the midst of a blizzard. How do I know? Well my last trip to Rankin Inlet 7 years ago had several of them. There were a couple of days when the Health Centre and the schools there were actually closed. Other days there were just periods of blowing snow followed by the sun coming out (during our restricted daylight hours) and the most beautiful snowscapes imaginable.

Last time I was delayed in leaving at the end of my contract due to the longest recorded blizzard in the history of weather in Rankin Inlet (and the rest of Canada as well). It's even listed in Wikipedia “Beginning on January 16, 2008, Rankin Inlet endured the longest recorded blizzard in Canada. Wind speed was 74 km/h (46 mph) or above, with gusts to 90 km/h (56 mph), and wind chill values was as low as -58. The blizzard lasted 7 days 5 hours.” I survived it...both indoors and out.

January 2008 Blizzard Conditions

So I consider myself blizzard-ready...should that skill be necessary this trip. Well, it may be since on Monday during our storm, I talked to Matt, my “soon to be” boss at the Health Centre. After a few questions and answers and some pleasant comparisons of our respective climates, we terminated our call. Later, in the late afternoon, my in box showed mail. Finally, almost after 7 weeks....my contract had arrived.

Now, why the delay? Well, there are many reasons. Nothing could happen before my police check was completed. Once I had fulfilled all necessary professional requirements, I had to sit and cool my heals until the mounties could tell our regional guys that my record was clean. That required my fingerprints being submitted digitally to check for any outstanding warrants, previous convictions, and any ongoing investigations. Once I had obtained my “vulnerable sector” clearance, the next step was to forward the necessary documents to my perspective employer along with all the other details they required...my S.I.N. and direct deposit info for pay. This required a form to be filled out, stamped and signed by my financial institution and then forwarded on to the north.

As well, the weather up north has been “winter”... in its simplicity and beauty. The odd snow day interfered with my approval for the temporary position. Some bureaucracy can be expected when dealing with government agencies but there has been good co-operation and things seem to be moving along nicely. By late afternoon, on monday the second of February, in the midst of our

The Inukshuk stands guard through it all

blowing snow, snow clearing and further snow deposits the final decree came by an email.

It didn't take Wiarton Willie, Punxsutawney Phil or any of those other furry prognosticators to tell me my fate on Groundhog Day. Instead, the Government of the Nunavut Territory officially notified me that I'll have six more weeks of winter...just sign on the dotted line...travel and accommodation info to follow. The irony is that after I signed my contract and sent it back, I heard nothing more. Another full day passed again and still there was no confirmation of receipt. So Wednesday I sent another email north to see if they had received the documents.

Yes, they had received it...but didn't respond. You see, the Health Centre was closed. The reason...the entire Kivalliq Region was experiencing...another blizzard.

Next Time: NO PASSPORT REQUIRED