Lesley, there are differing theories about that. For some, removing all the leaves helps to control diseases and insects. It can also help stimulate the roses to stop actively growing and store more nutrients rather than continuing to grow and flower in climates which encourage that. It can help reduce the foliage canopy's tendency to trap snow, causing more damage due to the weight.

Some find it unnecessary. Some dogmatically hold to it no matter what. I've never gardened in your climate, so I can't vouch if one is better than the other. In mine, meaning the various, milder climates than yours in which I've grown roses, the ones in which removing the foliage was definitely a plus were where black spot, rust and rose slugs (saw fly larvae) were greater issues. Where diseases weren't that significant a problem and where insects were very seasonal and migratory, it didn't make a bit of difference other than to make pruning a bit easier because I could SEE the plant, instead of its covering. Kim

I have been growing roses successfully for 35 years and I've stripped leaves maybe once or twice. It's totally unnecessary and I doubt you'll notice any difference. People have just made up lots of things that you "have to" do to roses.

I don't take off the leaves. By spring most of them are gone on their own anyway. Taking them off does not prevent fungal infection the next year. It probably doesn't even slow it down. I also think that leaving the leaves helps protect the canes from wind and sunburn in the winter just like they do in the summer. If you like your beds to look neater over the winter then strip them. If, like me, you want to provide some sheltered habitat for the birds then leave them.

I never intentionally remove leaves. The wind eventually takes care of it some time during the winter.

Thanks to all who responded....I am going to leave the remaining leaves on the bushes. Everyone is so helpful here and I appreciate all the help I get from you`all. My rose gardens are officially now..."Put to Bed" for the winter. Cheers!