The number of border patrols along the Canada-U.S. border in Quebec could double as part of a new federal pilot project.

The Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP are working on a joint project to test the effectiveness of adding border officers to some currently unpatrolled areas along access points between the two countries.

The union representing border guards in Canada said Quebec is an obvious testing ground.

'[Their job will be] to stop crime, gun smuggling, cigarette smuggling and also the immigration problems that are happening at the border right now.'—Jean-Pierre Fortin, vice-president of the Customs and Immigration Union

''Out of 200 unguarded roads [in Canada], Quebec has 100," said Jean-Pierre Fortin, vice-president of the Customs and Immigration Union.

He hopes the extra security will help authorities do a better job of enforcing border laws, especially after the federal government closed nine RCMP detachments in Quebec six years ago.

Many of the detachments were located in the Eastern Townships, which stretch across the border between Quebec and the northeastern states.

While the exact number of border guards involved is unknown, Fortin expects the total number on the ground could double as a result of the project.

"[Their job will be] to stop crime, gun smuggling, cigarette smuggling and also the immigration problems that are happening at the border right now," he said.

No implementation date has been set for the project.

Quebec border town shows interest in project

Raymond Yates, the mayor of Stanstead, Que., welcomed news of the pilot project. His town sits on the Quebec side of the border with Vermont.

Yates said some residents in the town worry about their safety.

Last month, the RCMP arrested four people who authorities say were preparing to export more than 36,000 ecstasy pills into the U.S. via Stanstead's Church Street.

''Some of these [residents] are widowers, and they are by themselves. If somebody is chased, he could enter a house and hold someone hostage," said Yates.

Stanstead shares the border with Derby Line, Vt.

Federal officials also plan to build barriers on the roads connecting the two communities.