You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Article content
Several Greenpeace members climbed the outside of the Olympic Stadium tower in Montreal on Thursday to protest against the federal government’s decision to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline project.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:
Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:
Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
The five climbers, who were 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 goes against its international commitments to reduce emissions.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Today's One Read will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Instead of spending $4.5 billion of taxpayer money on one pipeline, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could help us build 3 million electric rechargeable stations,” she said.
“For even less than that, for only $3.2 billion, he could fulfil the promise he made last December and ensure that every Indigenous community across Canada has access to drinking water.”
She added Trudeau still has time to back out of the deal, since the government and the company have given themselves until this coming Sunday to seek a third-party buyer for the pipeline.
Police cordoned off the area below the tower, and tourists and employees were barred from the stadium until around 11:30 a.m.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Montreal police spokeswoman Caroline Chevrefils said officers arrested four women and three men between the ages of 26 and 40.
Two women were arrested on the ground at 9:30 a.m., whereas the five climbers were stopped after descending from the structure at 11 a.m.
All seven will be charged with conspiracy and mischief over $5,000 and will be released on a promise to appear, Chevrefils said.
The organization carried out a similar action earlier in July when several climbers dangled under Vancouver’s Ironworkers Memorial Bridge for 36 hours to create what the organization called an “aerial blockade,” according to a Greenpeace news release.
In March 2015 — locked in a battle with Montreal-based Resolute Forest Products over the papermaker’s logging practices in the slow-growing boreal forest — Greenpeace activists scaled the cross on Mount Royal. In December 2016, members of the same group chained themselves to a gate and pipes at the Valero docks in Montreal’s east end, just days after Ottawa approved the construction of two new pipelines linking the oilsands to the Pacific coast and the midwestern United States.
.@JustinTrudeau plans to buy out a failing pipeline - if no other buyer can be found by July 22nd.
We have a bold message for him delivered from the world's largest inclined tower.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.