Greenpeace takes pipeline protest up Big O
MONTREAL — Several Greenpeace members climbed the exterior of the Olympic Stadium tower in Montreal on Thursday to protest the federal government’s decision to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline project.
The five climbers, equipped with cables and harnesses, ascended partway up the 165-metre-tall structure, which is built at a 45-degree angle.
They then unfurled a banner as a message for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with the sign reading: “Stop Pipelines, Don’t Dirty Our Money.”
They later descended without incident and were arrested by Montreal police.
Greenpeace spokeswoman Loujain Kurdi said the climbers wanted to send a message to Trudeau that “climate leaders do not build pipelines.”
In a phone interview, she said Ottawa’s decision to spend $4.5 billion to take over the Trans Mountain project from Edmonton to Burnaby goes against its international commitments to reduce emissions.
“Instead of spending $4.5 billion of taxpayer money on one pipeline, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could help us build three million electric rechargeable stations,” she said.
She added Trudeau still has time to back out of the deal, since the government and the company have given themselves until Sunday to seek a third-party buyer for the pipeline.
Montreal police spokeswoman Caroline Chevrefils said officers arrested four women and three men. All seven will be charged with conspiracy and mischief over $5,000 and were released on promises to appear in court, Chevrefils said.