The city is attempting to work out a way to get Occupy Edmonton protestors to move out of a downtown park, as temperatures drop and the protestors continue to use power paid for by taxpayers – for free.
Mayor Stephen Mandel would like a weeks-long local arm of a nation-wide movement to end.
"It is time," Mandel said Monday.
"We're looking at options in which we can be reasonable, but the time has come. My belief is that winter is coming and safety and security of people is important."
Mandel is considering going as far as cutting the power that's been used by the protestors for several weeks, it's electricity paid for by taxpayers – that protestors have been using for free.
However, those taking part in occupying the downtown park aren't budging.
"If they have a problem they should just shut [the power] off," Amie Bursey, a spokesperson for the Occupy Edmonton protest said.
They are facing mounting pressure to leave from all sides, not just the city.
The company that owns the park where they are camping has erected signs asking them to leave, and looming winter weather is about to make their stay much harder.
The group has some support from the outside, they're still receiving donations, including coats, gloves, and toiletries, and a teepee on loan from a supporter.
"It's cross gender, cross cultural, cross social," Dwayne Goodstriker, who lent the teepee to the protestors, said Monday of the protests' reach.
"It's my way of showing thanks for them sacrificing their warmth to just be seen and heard," Marcia Rawlins said Monday, as she donated area rugs to the movement.
As for those who want the protestors out, the Mayor said the city can't actively do much to get the protestors out because they have pitched their tents on private land.
Although Melcor, the company that owns the land, has put up signs saying camping isn't allowed – they haven't made an official complaint to police.
Meanwhile, the protestors are sticking to their mandate of sparking change, no matter what.
"I don't think anything can kill this movement," Bursey said.
With files from Sean Amato
