The marchers appear to be emboldened by the biggest national demonstrations in years Thursday that kicked off a mass strike-and-protest movement against President Emmanuel Macron's redesign of the pension system.

Authorities said about 28,000 people marched across France on Saturday, including 4,700 in Paris. Yellow vest activists said there were 44,000.

The so-called Yellow Vest protests erupted in mid-November 2018 originally over fuel price hikes and the high cost of living but spiraled into a broader movement against President Emmanuel Macron and his drive for economic reforms.

Police responded with tear gas after some protesters threw projectiles. A spokesman with the local prefecture said 21 people had been arrested.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was speaking at a reception for Liberal Party donors during the Calgary Stampede, where he had fewer public appearances than in past years.

Police say investigators are searching through a large amount of video and witness statements and other arrests are anticipated.

The two men filmed a five-minute conversation with Bernier that they posted on their Facebook pages.

French yellow vest protesters and police have clashed briefly in Paris as thousands of people gather for a May Day march.

The so-called 'yellow vests' protesters were back on the streets across France two days after Macron outlined policy proposals including tax cuts worth around 5 billion euros ($5.58 billion) in response to the protests.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was disrupted by hecklers during a housing announcement in Toronto Friday afternoon.