I don't think Canada was ever really his destination. I don't think it was a ruse/red herring either. I think that in re: to Canada, he was just looking to see if anything was available. One can check out possibilities without it being a concrete plan as a place to go or a place to flee to. If he was unemployed & unhoused, maybe he was just looking for any possible jobs or ideas that might be somewhat in the vicinity.
I don't think he's trying to get across the border. That would have more implications for him in the long run (money, ID, etc.) vs. staying in the US, laying low in wilderness areas, etc. As has been mentioned, his plans may also be dependent on taking advantage of opportunities that arise & then adapting as needed (such as hitchhiking which may take him in a general direction he wants to go but not necessarily the exact location he wants to be.)
I think he pre-planned this entire thing, murdering his girls to stick it to his ex, & the escape, perhaps by secreting supplies somewhere ahead of time that he could gather on his way out of the area. He's trained to survive in the wilderness & I think that's what he's doing while staying one step ahead of LE. I get the feeling this may end up like an Eric Rudolph situation -- he'll be found randomly while he's having to "break cover" to find or steal food or other needed supplies.
I do hope the most recent sightings are legit & that LE catches up with him sooner rather than later.
Jmo.