For extreme cold weather start, follow this E-Z 10-step process:
(1) Turn on headlights for 30 seconds to warm battery
(2)Fully depress clutch and hold
(3)Depress accelerator 1 time and release
(4)Hold accelerator down less than half way. Hold steady, do not pump.
(5)Pull choke out, rotate to lock.
(6)Operate starter in short bursts
(7) When engine catches, slowly push in choke gradually as RPM increases, while gradually pulling out throttle
(8) With throttle, set RPM a 1500-1800
(9)With gear selector in neutral, slowly release clutch.
(10)Push choke all the way in and idle in neutral at 2000RPM, reducing RPM with throttle to hold 2000 RPM for 5 minutes, or until satisfactory operating temperature is indicated.
Repeat as needed, or until battery fails, or buy American with an automatic choke. Or use a block heater. Or curse helplessly. Eventually the automatic choke reached Europe.
I will bet that this Toronto writer has a heated multi-car garage.