Yes, they are a source of clients. The same is true of temporary workers. Temporary workers and international students cannot use the services that IRCC provides. In the province, we say that they are potential clients and that it is important to take care of them. In short, we fund the centres so they will take care of those clients.
Community colleges and the University of New Brunswick have campuses in rural areas where many international students live. They use the services at those centres that are not funded by IRCC given that there are not as many permanent residents as in the bigger centres.