Hundreds of people converged at Dufferin Grove Park on Saturday to voice their concern over widespread service cuts anticipated to be made by the City of Toronto.
Organized by Toronto Stop the Cuts, the gathering was expected to draw more than 2,400 anti-Mayor Rob Ford dissenters, according to the organization's Facebook account.
"People across Toronto are mobilizing to save our city from Ford's cuts. We've been part of marathon deputations, thousands of us have signed petitions, filled out surveys, written letters, held meetings and called our councilors," the group's website and Facebook page says.
"Yet the Brothers Ford continue their attacks."
According to a press release published by the group, the agenda for the afternoon will be to draft a "Toronto Declaration" that will outline a set of demands for the city.
An early sketch of the proposed declaration's demands was not available. However an online poll was available for protesters to have their say ahead of the Saturday gathering
The survey, which touched on issues such as housing, employment and food costs, also asked Torontonians to come up with other ways "to stop the cuts and expand community services."
Since parts of the core service review were released late July, Ford has faced criticism from Torontonians concerned about the future of libraries, public health programs and transit services.
Many voiced their anxiety in a 23-hour marathon city committee in July when nearly 350 people signed up to speak on the core service review conducted by consulting firm KMPG.
Released a week earlier, the report suggested wide-spread service cuts would benefit the city's coffers and any changes to public services such as busses and the subway would result in "acceptable" crowding levels.
The mayor has already asked Toronto Fire Services and other city departments to prepare for 10 per cent budget cuts.
Toronto faces a $774-million shortfall for 2012.
