How about that weather we’re having?

I’ll bet you’ve probably heard something to that effect at least once over the past month or so. With temperatures in Southern Ontario soaring to record highs these first few weeks of 2007, there has certainly been some unseasonable activities going on; avid golfers pulling their 9-irons out of storage, joggers donning their spandex shorts and snowplows sitting idle with no snow in sight.

Personally, I like it warm. But I can’t entirely ignore the obvious consequences of this unseasonable weather. While you won’t see me running around yelling "the sky is falling," I still think this type of climate is a glimpse of what we’ve been doing to our good old’ mother earth. We’ve all heard about global warming and the damage it’s causing our planet and this weather may well be a direct result. With the way we’re going, let’s just hope we’re all around to tell our grandkids about the year it hit 9.2 C on New Year’s Day. But combine all the global warming issues with the effects of another El Nino, last seen in 2002, and it’s no wonder scientists are predicting it will be one of the warmest years ever. The weather phenomenon more technically means there are major fluctuations in the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean, thus causing a change in pressure systems and affecting weather around the world.

But aside from the end of the world stuff that many people may simply shrug off, there are more obvious everyday effects as well.

For instance, look at what this warmer weather is doing to our Canadian economy, both good and bad.

On the bright side, snow removal companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Most operate by contract with malls, apartment buildings and private owners. No snow means no plowing. The flip side is that customers are paying for a service they don’t need…yet. The white fluffy stuff is bound to fall at some point this year.

The average homeowner will definitely be saving some money on their oil bills for the month of December and maybe even January. Mom told me just the other day she’s only used a quarter of the tank since having it filled in November. By this time each year, it’s usually over half empty.

A downside is that Ontario’s ski and snowboard industry is suffering. Last week, Blue Mountain at Collingwood closed and 1,300 workers were laid off. Recently, Calabogie Peaks just outside of Ottawa, had only six of 20 runs open. Even Mont Tremblant in Quebec, one of Canada’s premier ski hills, barely has half of their runs open.

And just think of all the things you wouldn’t have to buy (and thus contribute to our economy) if we didn’t live in a winter climate: No snow tires, no shovels, snow blowers or paying the neighbour's kid to do the backbreaking labour it takes to clear your driveway. No mittens, toques, scarves or heavy winter boots and jackets that take forever to peel off, even longer when you have to pee. Anyone else have traumatic childhood memories of being dressed in those one piece snowsuits and having to hold it in while furiously fiddling with the zipper, which almost never failed to get stuck?  No seat warmers, space heaters and no more ugly crocheted blankets from Aunt Millie. And let's be frank, it would definitely give the whiney Canadian Tire guy less to talk about.

Even though I’m not a big fan of snow, I have to admit, I would miss it a little. After all, many people consider it part of our Canadian identity. That, and the following jokes just wouldn’t be funny anymore.

Only in Canada…

-Are there the following four seasons: Winter, winter, winter and construction

-Can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance during a blizzard

-Does your snowmobile have more horsepower than your car

-Do the roads seem better in the winter…the snow fills the potholes

-Do people design their Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit

-Does the trunk of your car double as a deep freezer