TORONTO, Ont. – It’s Labour Day, and that means the annual Labour Day parade is marching through Toronto, bringing out thousands of supporters.

This year’s theme is ‘unite against austerity,’ with organizers expecting 25,000 people to take part in the festivities.

Along with the usual music and balloons, this parade packed a message.

A sea of union flags could be spotted as workers and labour groups united to fight for worker rights.

The parade began at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Queen Street and University Avenue, with many gathering earlier for speeches by labour officials and advocates.

It then worked its way west along Queen Street, ending up at the CNE grounds.

Among those expected to attend were NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath.

Everyone had their own reason for being at the parade, however.

“I came to support the union, brought the family up early and I’ll get the kids involved as well,” said one man.

“Commemorate the struggle of the working class, the gains the labour movement has had for our community, such as benefits, working conditions,” said another man.

With turbulent times lying ahead, many people at the parade said they need to fight for their rights.

“Progress gets made and then gets pushed right back, always” said one woman.

The president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council says working people everywhere are resisting the austerity agenda.

The parade also comes as teachers’ unions are locked in a battle with the McGuinty government over wage freezes and the right to strike.

“We’re under attack from Dalton McGuinty, who doesn’t seem to understand anymore that we are doing good work and trying to represent the honest people of our society,” said one teacher.

The following road closures were in effect as of 7:30 a.m.:

– University Avenue, between Richmond Street West and Dundas Street West
– Armoury Street, between University Avenue and Chestnut Street
– Centre Avenue, between Armoury Street and Dundas Street West
– Queen Street West, between Bay Street and Dufferin Street
– Dufferin Street, between Queen Street West and the Exhibition Place