Just curious - where in Canada do you plan to go to view the Northern Lights. Your posting makes it sound like once you cross the border from NY into Ontario or Quebec, you will suddenly be in wilderness and viewing the N.L. will not be a problem.
FYI - it is very hit and miss when they appear. You need to be in a fairly dark area for the best viewing. From experience late in October is good but the best I ever saw them was in early July one year while living in Sudbury, Ontario
I just got back from Iceland a week ago and one night people saw the lights for about 3 minutes - the next night only for a few seconds. That is definitely north and has lots of darkness only a few minutes outside of Reykjavik the capital.
Good luck in your venture.