Hi hsddist, I know that you folks in northern Ontario are tough but wow -40F ( -40C for the metric amoung us ). I applaud your determination but I think that your wife is a smart lady. I think my wife would lock my bike up if she thought I was about to ride at that temperature. That kind of temperature could killl you. I will take heavy and alive over skinny and dead any day.
What can I say except happy commuting and Merry Christmas!