Environment, charity groups protesting federal reforms

Environment and charitable groups are protesting against what they say is an attack on their organizations by the federal government.

As part of the protest, many online sites will go dark today.

"There's a call for all the groups that are participating to blackout their websites and that's symbolic of the threat to the environment and an act of solidarity between all the groups," said Chris Hogan, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment network.

He said the event is one of many being held by similar organizations across the country, including Oxfam and the Sierra Club.

Hogan said the federal budget reduces environmental protection and doesn't allow charities to participate in policy decisions.

"The rhetoric the federal government has been using over the past several months is to characterize the environmental movement as out of line with the economic interests of the country, as hijacking environmental assessment processes," he said.