Occupy Ottawa protesters have inhabited Confederation Park for almost a month now and, even though similar protests are starting to be evicted across the country, there's no sign yet that protesters in the capital will be evicted.
Police in London, Ont. forcibly removed the Occupy protest there early Wednesday. London is the first city in the country to do so.
In Ottawa, there has been no threat of an eviction yet. But there are worries about the safety camp after the protesters' safety team allegedly found hundreds of used needles scattered around the camp.
"They were clearly placed intentionally because of the volume and because of the evenness of the distribution," said Hugh Goldring of Occupy Ottawa.
City officials, police, and the National Capital Commission continue to monitor the protest.
But the coming Winterlude festival might have an impact on how long Occupy Ottawa will be allowed to stay. An NCC spokesperson says the agency wants the park to turn back to its normal public use for the festival.
Occupy Ottawa though says it could co-exist with the festival.
"Perhaps we could help them with the Winterlude Festival," said protester Mitchell Broughton. "Many of us are open to that."
"It's a wonderful festival. I don't think anyone here is opposed to that in any way, shape, or form."
Occupy Ottawa protesters say if they're asked to leave, they will put it to a vote in the camp's General Assembly.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
