Not sure about Canada, but I can tell you my experience here in the US.

I go to India at least twice a year and I get back a ton of spices from India. I mostly enter the US either at ORD or JFK. I have the spices in unmarked jars or packets and I do check in the customs declaration form that I have food items in my checked luggage. My bags are screened and I am let go without any issues.

Only once there was a long queue for the baggage screening. So the office informed me that as long as I did not have curry leaves or any natural fruit or vegetables, I can pass through.

I have family in Toronto and they too buy spices from India and it is in their checked luggage. They are also not asked a lot of questions upon arrival in Canada.

On a side note - where in Canada are you flying to? Toronto has a huge Indian population and you can get all the spices there too. Is it really Indian food without the spices?