MONTREAL - Time has run out for the Occupy Montreal camp: The mayor has asked the activists to vacate Victoria Square as soon as possible.

Despite what both the city and activists referred to a good cooperation since the group took over the public space in Old Montreal last month, Mayor Gerald Tremblay issued a statement late Monday asking the group to leave, because he said he now sees the site as a security hazard due to clashes with protesters and the homeless over the weekend.

"I have always said that peace and security on site and off site should be the paramount consideration. As these conditions are not met, the time has come that the (Occupy activists) find other ways to get their message across. I'm sure they will understand the need for action as soon as possible," said Tremblay.

The city said it expects the Occupiers to cooperate with the request because they've been cooperative, adding that there has been good communication between the groups so far.

Activists told CTV Montreal they are not happy with the request, however. One protester said she would chain herself to a tree to support the cause.

"The whole purpose of this protest and what makes it unique is that there is no end date," said activist Ben Godin.

Should they choose to stay, Tremblay said doesn't have a plan to evict them, stressing that he doesn't want to see the same types of violent clashes seen in other cities when protesters were evicted.

"Why can't you just leave and show the world it's possible to find a solution that will continue the dialogue?" asked Tremblay.

Request came after the Occupy Montreal movement faced a new challenge Monday as the group dealt with various issues relating to homeless people, the mentally ill, and drug addicts at the camp.

This past weekend the demonstrators took down wooden structures, but also got involved with a number of altercations with newcomers.

Paul Bode, who has been a part of the Occupy Montreal movement since its inception, said everyone plays a role at the camp in Victoria Square.

"We have lots of homeless people who provide very important functions around the camp. Of course, homeless people do have problems that they do bring in with them that we're dealing with," he said.

Several people who spoke to CTV Montreal offered different opinions about what exactly took place, with some saying that a gang of people started slashing tents in an effort to drive out the demonstrators.

Others said people were just using a knife to make late-night modifications to their tents.

Everyone who spoke on Monday said all altercations were verbal, rather than physical, but that, along with the discovery that one tent was full of used condoms and needles, was enough to convince some of the Occupiers to pack up and go home.

The mayor said he is bothered by the issue.

"When you find in a tent a lot of syringes, a lot of condoms... that's very difficult," he said. "We can not control the complexity of the people that have mental problems. We can't do that anymore"

The protesters say they believe they have the law on their side and that there's no legal way for the city to evict them.

"The knowledge that they can only come in and give us a fine is heartwarming to us," said Godin. "I think that we can continue on."

Protester Marc-Andre Bahl said the group did not seem concerned about the mayor's request.

"The general assembly is very positive to stay in the camp. We just bought new tent," he said.

Resources requested

Many at the came say the minority causing trouble needs help.

"We would like to ask why the city has not volunteered resources for the people who need them. They're human beings and they're citizens and it's clear to everybody that we have people here with needs. Why aren't we receiving the help?" said activist Natasha Hynes.

The Old Brewery Mission said it's willing to offer its support.

"They are welcome to come here and we'll give them some advice and some training if they need," said Matthew Pearce of the Old Brewery Mission, explaining that training would include tactics on dealing with issues causing conflict at the camp.

"Drugs, alcohol, and mental illness is part of the reality of the homeless population. I think what happened is that the protesters at Occupy Montreal had not taken into account that these kinds of people may be coming to join them, and so they didn't prepare," he said.

Though some at Occupy Montreal have chosen to leave the site overnight, many have also pledged to continue returning to the site during the day and evening in order to continue their daily discussions about how to fix society's economic problems.

The demonstrators who planned to remain at the site on a permanent basis said they would step up their own security patrols, and called for a voluntary ban on drinking and drugs within Victoria Square.

Third phase

Meanwhile, activists said they're launching the third phase of their movement and will be "taking action" in the coming days, though they refused to provide specific details.

"Unfortunately, no. We would like to maintain a certain amount of mystery. But they will definitely be interesting," said Hynes.