While I do not condone people breaking rules, the simple truth is a lot of people in the same position would have tried their luck with getting into Canada.
Imagine quitting your job, pulling kids from school and selling all your stuff, then suddenly you hear that cos your COPR is post MArch 18, you cannot travel. You wait for months on end for news but there is nothing but radio silence from IRCC, then someone says people are getting into Canada through XYZ route. In such a situation, is it totally unreasonable for you to try so you can move on with your life?
The whole uncertainty as a result of covid has left people desperate. Travelling for immigration purposes and travelling for leisure are totally different matters.
When most people (not all) take a decision to migrate, it is driven by a present or mid term need/reason. Therefore people would like to plan accordingly, rather than being left guessing like we are all doing now.
There are better ways IRCC could have handled this in my opinion. The uncertainty, lack of transparency and inaction from their end fuelled a lot of desperation and we are all dealing with the consequences.