Article content continued

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.