I think printers are inherently write-only as far as the host is concerned. So it is difficult to get any error back from the printer. Some printers will print an error on the paper itself.
Sometimes when I stuff up and set the quality / resolution to something that is not supported (not supported somewhere in the software stack) I do get an error in syslog. (This is all HP though, so may not help the OP much with a Canon printer.)
Printing has always come in two pieces (either of which can fail):
- Converting the document into a “language” that the printer understands.
- Communicating the result of the conversion to the printer.
Maybe see whether there is any discussion on the internet of any known problems with the new driver and a Canon printer (or your specific model of printer). Sometimes it is better to go forwards rather than backwards.