The Comox Valley community is mourning the passing of one of its most beloved activists, with the news of Gwyn Frayne’s death.
Frayne died Oct. 16, succumbing to lung cancer, after a 10-month battle.
Frayne was known for her work advocating for various social and environmental issues affecting Canadians through a number of groups and organizations. Support Our Seniors and the Council of Canadians are two groups which have been close to her heart over the years.
She was one of the Island’s most outspoken opponents of pipeline expansion.
“Protecting our environment includes our forest lands, our rivers and our ocean. Putting a pipeline across the first two and tankers across the latter will put the future in jeopardy,” she was quoted as saying, regarding the Northern Gateway pipeline. “The land, water and animals are all at risk if we allow a pipeline to transport oil to tankers. The Council of Canadians Comox Valley chapter supports the First Nations which are trying to safeguard their traditional territories. They are trying to save their lands and their livelihoods, and they have put themselves on the line for their principles. In the process they are teaching all of us how democracy could work.”
Memorial service information was unavailable as of Wednesday morning.
–with files from Council of Canadians