This is the official Canadian government version of events: http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Slavery-to-Freedom/History/Slavery-in-Canada.aspx

However, the reality is that blacks coming to Canada from the United States had to still face a great deal of discrimination. Now, your question is, how different were the lives of escaped slaves? I think it's fair to say that, if you made it to a community like Oro or Eglen in Ontario, or even Africville in Halifax Nova Scotia, you could take advantage of the community supports that your fellow blacks and sympathetic whites provided. However, the fact is that institutional racism against blacks still existed in Canada, and it is something that continued well into the 20th century. This is an interesting film to watch that sort of demonstrates that later point: https://www.nfb.ca/film/remember_africville

Blacks were still forced into their own communities, like the examples above, and segregation existed in Canada until 1965 in places near these communities. While some places like Oro and particularly Eglen received considerable support from Abolistitionists prior to the Civil War for provision of education, other places like Africville, work was scarce, land was unavailable, and education non-existent.

All that said, I think it's safe to say that life for an escaped slave was much better than being a slave. If you're interested, I highly recommend reading Twelve Years a Slave, as it literally answers your question through a first hand account.

Here is a part of Joseph Taper's (A fugative slave who left with his family to Northern states and then onto Canada) "Letter from Joseph Taper to Joseph Long, November 11, 1840"

Dear Sir,

I now take the opportunity to inform you that I am in a land of liberty, in good heath….I have paid 50 dollars rent this year; next year I expect to build. The Queen of England has granted 50 acres of land to every colored man who will accept of the gift, and become an actual settler. Also a yoke of oxen and plough, for every two families. This is a very great encouragement to those who have come here for the liberty which God had designed for them….

Since I have been in the Queen’s dominions I have been well contented. Yes well contented for Sure, man is as God intended he should be. That is, all are born free and equal. This is a wholesome law, not like the Southern laws which puts man made in the image of God, on level with brutes. O, what will become of the people, and where will they stand in the day of Judgment. Would that the 5th verse of the 3d chapter of Malachi were written as with the bar of iron, and the point of a diamond upon every oppressor’s heart that they might repent of this evil, and let the oppressed go free….

We have good schools, and all the colored population supplied with schools. My boy Edward who will be six years next January, is now reading, and I intend keeping him at school until he becomes a good scholar.

I have enjoyed more pleasure within one month here than in all my life in the land of bondage….My wife and self are sitting by a good comfortable fire happy, knowing that there are none to molest [us] or make [us] afraid. God save Queen Victoria. The Lord bless her in this life, and crown her with glory in the world to come is my prayer,

Yours With much respect most obt, Joseph Taper