Winter work: Eric Ahermae, director of engineering on the Welland Canal, and his 400-man crew are racing against time to complete vital repairs to the 45-kilometre (26-mile) canal, which is drained of water at freeze-up time each year. The 50-year-old canal, which attracts thousands of summer sightseers, also attracts car thieves - at least 50 stolen cars were found on the muddy bottom this year.