Pension protest greets Philippe Couillard in Montreal

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard got a noisy welcome Sunday morning from protesters gathered outside Champlain College inthe Montreal suburb of St-Lambert, where hewas addressing a Liberal Party symposium.

Protesters included firemen, police officers and municipal blue collar workers opposed to the Quebec governments proposed municipal pension reform legislation, Bill 3.

We want to remind the premier that were here, and we want major changes to the legislation before its passed, said Marc Ranger, spokesman for the coalition of municipal employee unions that is spearheading protests against Bill 3.

Music and food gave the protest a festive air and the number of protesters was kept to around 100in order to ensure order at the demonstration, Ranger said.

Protesters blocked a road outside the college, but they wereotherwise peaceful.

Ranger said the coalition is growing and its strength will be on full display throughout the fall, including a mass march next week that he said will resemble a "human wave" across the province.