Hundreds of student protesters marched through downtown Toronto Thursday afternoon, forcing road closures and traffic snarls for part of the afternoon.

The protest was part of a "Day of Action" in 13 Ontario cities to demand an end to poverty in the province.

The Canadian Federation of Students called on Premier Dalton McGuinty to invest more in social services and equity measures.

The students left the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall at around 2 p.m. ET, walking eastbound on Wellesley. They marched southbound along Bay and headed west on College Street to Queen's Park.

Just after 4 p.m., the students, reached the Ontario legislature near College Street and University Avenue.

Police walked with the protesters, implementing rolling road closures as the march progressed, although traffic cleared up later on.

The federation says record-high student unemployment coupled with record-high tuition fees have placed students in a precarious position.

Students are also calling for employment insurance and social assistance reform, a livable minimum wage and reduced tuition.

Rallies are being held in Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Mississauga, Guelph, London, Sault Ste. Marie, Peterborough, Scarborough, St. Catharines, Kingston and Windsor.

With files from The Canadian Press