I think so too, but a couple of things to note here:

Back in 2022 it might have already been clear to someone observant in Canadian politics that Trudeau was becoming a liability and that the Conservatives were on their way to becoming ascendant. Perhaps they even suspected the rise of Poilievre.

Meanwhile, the family's attempted crossing happened almost exactly one year after Biden defeated the MAGA President, suggesting a turnaround down South. (Also, as a practical matter, I can see a family of four needing an entire year to wrap up their lives in their current city before executing on a big move like this.) We know now that this wasn't going to last in the US, but back in 2022 I can see why someone would be more optimistic about that.

And of course if politics didn't come into play, then they may have run the numbers and found parts of the US more affordable than Canada. More details on both points available over at https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadians-moving-to-the-us-hits-10-year-high-1.7218479

Finally, this is an issue that goes both ways. Folks have also tried to cross from the US into Canada and also nearly froze to death, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44865022