Do we look unprofessional to you? Women in the @BCLegislature are being told our bare arms are unprofessional, do not constitute proper business attire for the halls of the House #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/1lJSWngP34
— Shannon Waters (@sobittersosweet) March 28, 2019
Women at the British Columbia's legislature are fighting for the right to bare arms ordering a review of modern dress expectations at the building.
Acting clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd says Speaker Darryl Plecas directed her to review the legislature's dress code policy to determine what is considered appropriate business attire for women.
She says the current policy dates back to 1980.
The review comes after at least seven female legislature journalists and one N-D-P staff official wore short-sleeved attire in defiance of the dress code.
Reporter Shannon Waters says she and her female colleagues decided to challenge the dress code after hearing about a senior N-D-P staff official who was told her short-sleeved shirt was not appropriate for the legislature.
Finance Minister Carole James, who was wearing a sleeveless blouse under her blazer, says a dress code review at the legislature is long overdue.
Last year, the legislature unanimously supported allowing politicians to bring their babies into the chamber during debates.