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

NO PASSPORT??? No Problem!!!!!

Have you renewed your passport lately? My last one needed attention since it was expiring while I'm north. The Canadian Passport used to be valid for five years, but now you have an option of either five or ten. The trip north to Rankin Inlet does not require one...and travel in Canada does not require it either...but we've always maintained a valid one. So it made sense to do the renewal before I head away. I think it's always quicker to renew a valid one than to wait and re-apply for an expired one.

From the time we turned in our old ones and paid our fees, it took a week for the doorbell to ring and Vince to ask for a signature on his Canada Post device. When you actually sit down and look closely, this new document is really a work of art. First, this new passport is actually an e-passport...as all issued since July 2013. It has been designed to thwart counterfeiting with a number of new technologies and printing techniques...many used since 2001...including  microprinting, holographic images, UV visible inks and watermarks.

Canadian e-Passport

While smaller in dimension it retains its distinctive Canadian Coat of Arms in Gold Foil print on the front cover, along with the french and english words for "passport" and now features the international symbol for e-passports. Your picture is now digitally printed and not a photo affixed to the paper. That entire page (with your information printed neatly) is laminated with a plastic covering impregnated with at least six distinct holograms.

These include the word CANADA, a compass rose, two different maple leafs (one traditional, the other a modern facsimile). Another small hologram is a map of the entire country...over printed on the solid maple leaf. In addition, there are about 30 small maple leaves in various sizes scattered throughout the remainder of that laminate (all in a hologram).

The page next...the one above your colour photo/info page...has a small black and white replica of your colour photo of the previous page much like your drivers licence...and of course, the signature line. The next 30 pages are to be used for those stamps and visa attachments required by various countries for entry or departure. They are the most amazing collection of Canadian memorabilia and our country's history.

All regions and major events in our nation's close to 150 years history (yes, in 29 months...we'll be 150 years old) are depicted. Our Native Canadians are honoured on the next page with a sketch of an INUKSHUK, an EAGLE feather and an infinity symbol. Canada's North is represented by a map showing the Arctic circle with the many expedition routes of Joseph-Elzear Bernier from 1906-1913

Bernier's routes were sponsored by the Government of Canada

as he sailed to expand Canada's sovereignty over the arctic archipelago up to the North Pole. The Prairies pages show images of a Grain silo, some oil wells a-pumping and those famous Wheat Board of Canada hopper cars in a line.

Halifax's Pier 21, Newfoundland's Cape Spear, the famous Bluenose, our picturesque Parliament buildings, and a sketch of Niagara Falls grace several of the leaves. The 1885 insertion of the Last Spike on the transcontinental railroad is recognized. Respectfully, the 1980 Marathon of Hope is remembered with the sketch of TERRY FOX. It's actually a drawing of his statue. One of seven that have been erected across our country to honour this 22 year old hero who started an intense focus towards Cancer treatment.

Historical pages denote important events in our nation's fabric. The famous gathering of the Fathers of Confederation, Samuel de Champlain and his vessel as well as a classic view from the river of old

Samuel de Champlain died in Quebec on Christmas Day in 1635.

Quebec city are showing the early foundations of our country. Iconic drawings of the Northwest Mounted Police and a modern RCMP musical ride are also documented.

In sporting tradition, “the Cups” of Lord Stanley and Earl Grey (our 9^th Governor General) are sketched as Canada's famous annual struggles as well as an image of Nellie McClung, one of the famous five. Those from the east may not recognize the name but she was well respected in her struggle for women's rights and social responsibility and change along with her four compatriots in the west.

Canada' s efforts in the First, Second and Korean wars are recognized by the drawings of Billy Bishop and his plane, the HMCS Sackville, and The Infantry of the Korean War, respectively. And finally, to recognize those who've made that ultimate sacrifice, are pages showing the Vimy Memorial in France and the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.... LEST WE FORGET those who have actually allowed us to remain safe on our soil and yet, travel freely with this document throughout the world.

With only 35 pages...2 are taken by photos from my hometown

Perhaps, I should have asked for a passport with the extra pages. Although those ones are no longer available, it would have been interesting to see what other sketches might have been included. While it's almost a shame to have to cover these pages with stamp ink as we enter various countries over the next ten years...a tough job for sure...but somebody's got to do it!

Next up: GOING....GOING....GONE!