About 2,000 students gathered in the Old Port on Thursday afternoon to march in support of public services.

The student group ASSE is protesting against the lack of increased spending in education, and what it calls the "pillaging of public services" by the provincial government.

The protest organizers also believe that Premier Philippe Couillard and his Liberal government intend to privatize the Health care and education systems in Quebec.

A total of 20 student groups are taking part in Thursday's protest, with many groups coming from outside Montreal.

ASSE advocates for tax increases on banks and other corporations to add $10 billion to provincial revenue instead of freezing or reducing government spending.

The student group also wants the government to focus on eliminating tax avoidance loopholes. 

ASSE is affiliated with the CSN, FTQ, FIQ and other unions, and spokesperson Hind Fazazi said Thursday's protest is about more than just students.

"It's not just that we want them to have better conditions. Yes we want, but we also want to have better accessible and quality public services," said Fazizi.

"It's been three years now at ASSE that we are against austerity and we want the entire population to understand clearly what it means and how dangerous it is."

In recent weeks teachers, civil servants, and healthcare workers have staged rotating strikes across Quebec to protest the government's line on contract negotations with public workers. 

The provincial government is offering a three percent pay hike over five years, while workers want a 13.5 percent increase over three years.