That's actually the purpose of the research we're doing in the RMC of Coaticook. Certain realities aren't covered by the data, for instance, in relation to those who are hiding.
Let's go back in time and talk about Roxham Road. There was an influx of people in one place, but people would cross the border, report to the RCMP and apply for asylum.
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's website showed a remarkable or significant increase starting in 2017. Since 2023, that number has been dropping, and it will continue to drop with all the new restrictions on people's ability to file a claim in Canada. As a result, people will choose other ways in. It will also encourage crime, because smugglers will take advantage of the situation. That's what we are seeing.
We're still collecting preliminary data and documenting how things are playing out on the ground. The RMC of Coaticook is a transboundary region that has never experienced this kind of situation, with people crossing there. They leave either clothes or backpacks. The RCMP is also present, making significant use of drones for border surveillance. Residents have been given pamphlets explaining how to report anything suspicious. In short, this isn't something the area has seen before.
The number of clandestine entries has indeed gone up. Are those people going to apply for asylum? Maybe not, since the rules are being tightened even further. What that does is shift the problem.