"Be prepared". That pretty much sums it up like everybody else did too. One of the best investments for winter though, wool socks. They are probably the best invention mankind ever came up with (well, maybe penicillin was just a bit better...). As to the the shovel suggestions, you generally want both types, the plastic and the metal. If you have a driveway, and you haven't driven over the snow covering it yet (ie: it's morning after snowfall) the lightweight plastic one with a wide mouth is much better than a metal one. It's once the snow is compacted that things get tough. Once you have driven over a patch of snow even 3-4 times, it will be impossible to use the plastic one to break it up easily. Then you whip out the steel one and set to work on it.
In terms of car items, you should generally have with you (at all times): a snowbrush for the windows, signal flare if you feel you need it, an emergency shovel that's pretty durable (they actually can break!), a blanket or two, and some water. A cellphone to call for help is always good too. And this being CPF and all, I guess I must include the obligatory flashlight+batteries. Depending on where you live and how bad your storms get, you might want to carry a chain for towing purposes, and other random misc items you feel you might need.
If it gets pretty cold, long underwear is godly, as well as snowpants and some nice snowboots. Always bundle up though, frostbite comes WAY faster than you would expect.
PS: Anybody else in Nova Scotia? It's unbelieveable weather here. 40cm last Monday, around 10 on Thursday, and other 35cm being called for tonight/tommorow (Saturday-Sunday). That's going to be like what...75cm in one week. Fun and all, but I was told the valley was supposed to be mild (Wolfville/Acadia). Guess I was wrong about Calgary being cold, it's just weird weather there (from there too)...
