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OTTAWA — Calgary’s police chief says the Harper government’s $20-million pledge to help sex workers get out of the industry is “woefully inadequate.”

Chief Rick Hanson offered that assessment Tuesday during the second day of hearings by the House of Commons justice committee as it examines the government’s new prostitution bill.

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The government’s five-year commitment amounts to $125,000 a year in Calgary, which is not enough, Hanson said.

He called for a national strategy in which Ottawa, the provinces, municipalities and social agencies would work towards abolishing prostitution.

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