Technically when the Maple Leaf becomes a VIA Train @ the VIA Station in Niagara Falls, ON, there is No Business Class to Toronto since VIAs Biz Class is only on the Corridor Trains between Windsor and Quebec City!(its similar to FC on Acelas on the NEC)
Canadian Customs and Immigration is done inside the VIA Station, Biz Class is done first, ( you'll have to give Amtrak your ID Info when you book whether Passport or enhanced DL) and the Crews change from Amtrak to VIA including even the Cafe food and drink sold in the Cafe/ /Biz Class Car!
You will have two tickets on this Route, an Amtrak ticket from NYP to the Canadian Border and a VIA ticket from the VIA Station to Toronto! The Biz Class/ Cafe Car has the nice 2x1 Metro Liner Seats and of course you pay the Upgrade fee for BC to Amtrak! Definitely worth it!!!
Here's the interesting point, VIA only charges $1 more (plus Coach Fare)to stay in the Biz Class Car from the Border to Toronto! Lots of folks get off @ the New York stops and the two Niagara Falls stops, hence seats opening up in the Cafe/Biz Class! I've booked to Toronto in Biz Class from Albany, Utica,Syracuse, Rochester and even Buffalo!
I'm honestly not sure if you can purchase an upgrade to the cafe/ biz class car in Canada, you need to ask the Amtrak Agent ( you can't book this online) when you call to book!
The Redcap @ NYP AND Toronto is a great idea to beat the crush when boarding and get a good seat whether Coach or Biz Class! (Coaches are Amfleet IIs)
