There is a growing feeling among the Tartan Army that Gordon Strachan has taken Scotland as far as he can and this match did little to appease the doubters who feel it is time for a change.
Canada may be ranked 117th in the world but they provided plenty of uncomfortable moments for Scotland and took a shock lead after 11 minutes through Falkirk midfielder Fraser Aird.
Steven Naismith restored parity 10 minutes before the break but it was a nervy first half display, especially from a jittery back four.
This may have only been a friendly but it once again emphasised Scotland’s shortcomings – defensively suspect and toothless in attack.
It was a night of very few positives for the Scotland manager to take from the match, although Ikechi Anya impressed as a make-shift right back, filling in for long-term injury victim Callum Paterson.
But the result and performance in front of a poor crowd of 9,150 will give the Scotland support precious few reasons to feel confident when they head to Hampden on Sunday.
The Tartan Army did not descend on Easter Road en masse for this international friendly with a disappointing crowd in attendance for the sixth meeting between the sides with Scotland having triumphed on all five previous encounters.
There is a real sense of apathy towards the national team at present following a dismal start to the World Cup qualifying campaign with only four points to show from their opening four games and the prospects of reaching Russia next year looking increasingly bleak.
A defeat by Slovenia at Hampden on Sunday could bring the curtain down on Strachan’s time in charge but last night’s match offered his players to get fully prepared for the crucial qualifier.
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Fraser was forced to wait for his Scotland debut after picking up a minor knee injury in training but Fulham’s Tom Cairney made his international bow in midfield.
Ikechi Anya started at right back alongside Lee Wallace, Charlie Mulgrew and Christophe Berra in defence, while Chris Martin spearheaded the attack with support from Robert Snodgrass, Steven Naismith and Oliver Burke.
There were a couple of familiar faces in the Canadian team includingBurnley midfielder Scott Arfield, who was born and raised in Scotland but opted to play for the country where his father was born.
The game kicked off following a needlessly excessive fireworks display in front of such a sparse crowd with Scotland immediately on the front foot with Anya picking out Naismith who nodded wide inside the opening five minutes.
The visitors were next to threaten with Cardiff City’s Junior Hoilett setting up Arfield whose left-footed effort curled over.
That was a warning sign for the Scots but they failed to take heed and fell behind after 11 minutes.
A sloppy pass from Lee Wallace sparked a Canadian counter-attack with the Rangers defender’s attempts to make up for the lapse only turning the ball into the path of Aird who slotted beyond Allan McGregor.
A lacklustre start from Strachan’s Scotland but Snodgrass almost restored parity immediately with a cross that evaded everyone and bounced back off the woodwork before Martin shot straight at Canadian goalkeeper Simon Thomas.
The visitors were inches away from grabbing a second soon after when Aird jinked past two defenders before firing just wide with McGregor helpless.
But a relieved Scotland drew level 10 minutes before the break when, following a frantic goalmouth scramble, a Cairney shot was diverted into the net by Naismith for his seventh goal for his country.
After a very poor first half, Wallace was withdrawn at the break and replaced by Andy Robertson, while the ineffective Burke made way for Barry Bannan.
Scotland had plenty of the ball and chances to get in front with Berra failing to trouble Canadian goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, who had replaced Thomas at the interval.
With half an hour to go, Strachan opted to alter his formation and went with two up front with Jordan Rhodes and Leigh Griffiths brought on for Naismith and Martin.
Canada were still pressing forward when possible in the hope of getting back in front with Hoilett chancing his luck from outside the area with an effort that flew over the crossbar.
The visitors went close again with 12 minutes remaining when a powerful strike from Aird was tipped over the crossbar by McGregor.
Scotland pushed forward in the closing stages but rarely troubled the visitors who held on for a deserved draw with Strachan’s side booed off the park at full time.