Canadian Press

Business-licence fees to aid sex-trade workers

The project, bankrolled by increased business-licence fees for escort agencies and body-rub parlors, was unaminously endorsed by council.

The program, touted the first of its kind in B.C., is designed to identify social and health-care needs of prostitutes and come up with resources to help get them out of the industry.

Surplus revenue from licence fees, which jumped to $3,000 from 192.50, will foot part of the bill. It's anticipated the increases will generate $10,000 a year.

An additional $15,000 will come from a provincial grant, with another $3,500 from the federal government.