Several hundred people in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa rallied in support of a gay marriage legislation in France.

Julien Finlay, the organizer for the Quebec movement, said the rallies were planned as a counter attack to the series of protests opposing French President François Hollande's push for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

"These protests are in support [of equality,]" he said. "We can't let the opposition take all of the media attention away."

Geneviève Guindon, a gay parent who took part in the Montreal rally, said she is surprised by the number of people opposing the bill in France.

"I'm very troubled by the number of people protesting against gay rights in France as if we were taking something away from them," she said.

About 50 people also took part in a peaceful gathering outside the French Embassy in Ottawa.

"France should not fear the change and people should welcome this opening of rights for this new class of people," said Jérôme Avrillon, a resident of Gatineau, Que., who attended the event in Ottawa.

Tens of thousands join forces in Paris

Similar rallies have been taking place around the world today, including in Paris where tens of thousands of people gathered at Place Denfert-Rochereau to show their support for the cause.

According to a poll results published Saturday, 63 per cent of people in France are in support of gay marriage.

The poll questioned 1,026 people aged 18 and above over a two-day period last week.

In November, the French cabinet pushed ahead with the controversial gay marriage bill.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting against the proposed law in France.

If the bill passes, France will become the 12th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.