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Speaker Darryl Plecas says bare arms are welcomed in the B.C. legislature.

On Thursday, a group of women — legislature staffers and some journalists working in the Victoria press gallery — protested a dress-code edict from legislature security by wearing sleeveless outfits on the job.

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Journalist Shannon Waters, who was among the sleeveless protestors, said at least three women were told by the sergeant at arms staff to cover their bare arms in the hallways of the legislature.

The protest led Finance Minister Carole James to criticize the legislature’s dress code for women as she called for it to be updated.

“We need to modernize the dress code,” James said. “We all know you dress in business attire. It doesn’t matter whether you have sleeves or you don’t have sleeves.”

On Monday, Plecas said a full dress code review is underway, but until the report is complete business attire for women can include arm-baring outfits.

In a memo titled “Parliamentary Dress — Update,” Plecas endorsed preliminary recommendations to the legislative assembly’s dress code put forward by acting clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd that allow for women working in the legislature to wear sleeveless dresses, shirts and blouses.

Plecas says policing dress guidelines will not be left to individuals and will no longer be the responsibility of the sergeant-at-arms or legislature staff to enforce.

Don’t expect malelegislativestaffers to be wearing tank tops to work anytime soon. The sleeveless look is for women only.

“For men, jackets, collared shirts and ties will still be the expected standard of dress,” the memo said.

Plecas said the recommendations are offered as “preliminary guidance.”

“Any future specific dress requirements should be implemented by all members of the legislative assembly,” he said.

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With Canadian Press files