Here is a pic

I'd remove it. Likely a p.o. "improvement"

The space over your porch and your attic is all unconditioned so there's no reason to partition them unless part of the porch roof is missing thus allowing wind-driven moisture into the attic.

OK Thanks. So by having that open it will not make a difference in energy efficiency? I was looking at adding some insulation to the roof and was up there tinkering and trying to fix it up properly before I sprayed insulation into it.

I guess, now that I am thinking of it, it wouldn't make a difference on energy as it is linked only to the attic and not the living space.

There are many ways to insulate an attic and the answer to your question will depend on what method you chose.

May I ask what kind of insulation are you intending to use? I ask because you mentioned "spray". Are you using spray foam?

mcarmelo,

Your porch (being open on one side) doesn't really need to be insulated at all. It was probably done as a courtesy in case you wanted to fully enclose it in the future. The important thing is that the ceiling above your "living space" is insulated, because that's the area you heat/cool. The cardboard you pictured is a leftover from whomever did the insulation job. It's function was to prevent insulation from being blown into the entire vented soffit of the porch- allowing it to vent properly. I'm guessing the 'vinyl siding material' on the ceiling of the porch you mention is solid, but when you step outside and look at the soffit area (where the gutters attach), that vinyl material is ventilated. The little holes in it that ventilated soffit area must NOT get clogged with insulation, or you will trap moisture. DO NOT remove the cardboard pieces, as they are preventing the insulation from spilling over into the soffit, where it could/will absorb and trap excessive moisture and prevent the porch form "breathing" properly. Remove it ONLY if you plan to completely remove all the insulation, too...which would be silly...because it shouldn't have any bearing on your leak issue. Hope that helps answer your question!

DO NOT remove the cardboard pieces, as they are preventing the insulation from spilling over into the soffit

I'd use a less moisture sensitive material than cardboard.

I just had a new un-ventitlated porch (no roof vent or soffit vents) overhang attached to my house and this winter (live in toronto, canada) I am noticing ice build up along the side of the wall. Now I am not sure if its caused by heat/venting issues or roof or gutter issues. I was thinking of maybe putting some vented soffits? I have attached a photo of my current issue. Any advise would be great.

Looks like spillage from the downspouts and/or eavestrough. Be sure there is sufficient slope on the eavestrough, that it's clear of leaves and the lower downspout (not visible) is not blocked. Enough freeze/thaw cycles and you'll get spalling of the brick. (Also in TO)

Yah, that's a bad installation. Forgot high school physics: Water has adhesion and cohesion. These principles are important in the real world... The drop needs to go into the gutter, not empty above. You could fix that problem by placing some aluminum around the exit and into the gutter so the water has to do down further before it can go laterally. Water won't climb up, but it will hold the edges and go sideways, which is what is happening.