Toronto activists rally for May Day ctvtoronto.ca   Updated: Tue. May. 1 2012 4:31 PM ET Community activists, supporters of the working class and anti-establishment firebrands will take to streets across Canada on Tuesday to mark International Workers' Day. Activists groups in Toronto have been urging residents to call in sick to work and join May Day protests demanding respect for minority groups, urging for improvements to public services and attacking corporate handouts. The gatherings are likely to cause delays and traffic jams on city roads. In Toronto, the main rally will be held at City Hall at 4 p.m. by immigrant workers' rights group No One is Illegal and Occupy Toronto. Shortly before 4 p.m. at least 200 protestors started marching south on University Avenue and towards Nathan Phillips Square. Organizers say the rally includes thousands of people on parade, music and balloons, and a 25-foot banner. "We are responding to calls from across North America to have a May Day rally. It is important because May Day is celebrated around the world but it isn't celebrated here," Lana Goldberg, a member of the Occupy Toronto movement, told CTV News Channel. "We want to celebrate in solidarity with workers around the world for worker struggles and also for immigrant struggles." The rally will be followed by a march several blocks west into Chinatown, where protesters will gather in Alexandra Park, at Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West, to protest the state of immigrant workers rights. Other events behind held in Toronto include a potluck garden party outside Queen's Park at 2 p.m. Occupy Toronto also plans a 24-hour occupation at a yet-to-be-announced location referred to as the "Heart of the Beast." A number of groups gathered outside Harper's office around the noon hour to voice their opposition to cuts to the federal public service and other austerity measures. CTV News Channel's Mercedes Stephenson tweeted that protesters held up cut-outs of federal cabinet ministers wearing T-shirts with critical messages. May Day protests in other cities include: Halifax, where the Halifax Dartmouth & District Labour Council has organized MayworksHalifax 2012, which includes a rally at the Grand Parade. Montreal, where a day-long series of marches and protests is scheduled, including a student demonstration outside the office of Premier Jean Charest. Winnipeg, where the Public Service Alliance of Canada has organized an evening rally at city hall, followed by a march to Old Market Square. Edmonton, where an evening march through downtown is scheduled. Calgary, where a rally and potluck dinner are scheduled at 10 Street and Memorial Drive NW. Vancouver, where the Occupy Vancouver movement has joined forces with the BC Federation of Labour and the Vancouver & District Labour Council for a rally and march outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.