It is with great sadness that Fair Vote Canada mourns the passing of Raymond Taavel, democracy activist, killed early Tuesday morning in Halifax.

Ryan Raymond Taavel was a volunteer regional coordinator for Fair Vote Canada. He was a driving force for setting up a new Fair Vote Canada chapter in Halifax.

Raymond was also a well-known former editor for Wayves magazine and former chairman of Gay Pride week. As was typical for Raymond in bettering his community and reducing conflict, Raymond attempted to break up a fight between two men when one turned on him, beating him fatally.

“Ray was a champion for democracy,” said Fair Vote Canada Executive Director Wayne Smith. “He embodied the notion that democracy is a do-it-yourself project. His loss is a blow to our movement, but the work will continue in his memory.”