Goto visajourney.com and do a SEARCH!!! This same question gets asked like 10 times every week!
Can one visit--YES and it is up to the POE officer. Many Cdns (over on Visajourney) visit while undergoing a k1,k3, cr-1!! I did every month. Majority have no problems at all, BUT its all up to the POE officer!! THUS to increase ur chances of success--bring evidence that shows that you will be returning to canada, ie apartment lease, ur immigration paperwork, letter from employer, etc etc etc
But do a search on VJ, this subject gets beaten to death! And yes people do get denied entry. Not a big deal--besides it being apain in the butt--but wont effect ur immigration process, if you told the truth! Lie to them and then your in a world of hurt!
my simple advice:
Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:
1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5) Pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1